Must Read News

Sweden joins India’s Venus mission, enhancing space ties.

Sweden, which has collaborated with India on space missions since 1986, is set to contribute an instrument for India’s upcoming Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM). The mission was officially approved by the Union Cabinet on September 18, with a budget of Rs 1,236 crore. Sweden’s deputy minister of foreign trade, Håkan Jevrell, confirmed this during an interview, while leading Sweden’s largest-ever space delegation to India. Jevrell and his team held meetings with ISRO, the Indian National Space Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), and visited I ..... Read More

PM Modi: J-K seeks a corruption-free, terror-free government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are hoping for a future free from “corruption, terrorism, and separatism,” ensuring peace and a brighter future for their children. Speaking at an election rally held at M A M Stadium in support of BJP candidates, the Prime Minister highlighted the historic opportunity for voters in Jammu to shape the next government. Urging voters to seize the moment, Modi encouraged them to choose the BJP. He expressed confidence, stating, “The high voter turnout in ..... Read More

Credit card additions grow over 15%, says RBI.

According to the latest Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the number of active credit cards in India saw a continued rise in August 2024, with banks issuing over 0.92 million new cards. This is an increase from the 0.755 million cards added in July, pushing the total number of credit cards in circulation to 105.5 million. Year-over-year (YoY) credit card additions grew by 15.6%, with a sequential increase of 0.9%. HDFC Bank led the market, issuing 0.241 million new cards in August, bringing its total to 21.9 million. However, this was lower tha ..... Read More

White House: US-India diplomatic ties are strong and growing

The White House affirmed that the United States’ relationship with India is “strong and getting stronger,” underlining President Joe Biden’s commitment to enhancing this bilateral partnership. As his presidency approaches its conclusion, the administration reflected on the advancements made with India, stating that Biden will take pride in the deepening ties when he looks back on his term. John Kirby, National Security Communications Advisor, characterized the relationship in three words: “strong, and getting stronger,” ..... Read More

Ramaswamy: Stronger India-US ties can counter China’s threat

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has labeled China as a “major threat,” asserting that stronger ties between India and the United States could help mitigate China’s influence. In an exclusive interview with Times Now, Ramaswamy expressed confidence that Republicans will win the upcoming election, though he acknowledged it will be a competitive race until November. He pointed out the border disputes India faces with China and discussed India’s position regarding Taiwan. “China presents a m ..... Read More

Harris Reaffirms Support for Ukraine Amid Trump’s Criticism

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris spoke alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, a day after former President Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not negotiating a deal with Russia that Trump claimed could have ended the ongoing war. Harris emphasized her commitment to ensuring Ukraine prevails in the war, which is now entering its third year, and achieves a just peace. Without directly naming Trump, she criticized certain voices in the U.S. advocating for Ukraine to relinquish significant territory and com ..... Read More

Macron Supports India’s Bid for Permanent UNSC Membership

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed France’s endorsement of India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during his speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He stated that the current Security Council, which often operates based on individual interests, struggles to advance effectively. Macron emphasized the importance of reforming the UN to enhance its representativeness, arguing that this is essential for the organization’s effectiveness. Macron reiterated France’s sup ..... Read More

India Advances to 39th in Global Innovation Index 2024

India has moved up one spot to 39th place among 133 economies in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII), as reported by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), based in Geneva. Last year, the nation was positioned at 40th. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced this advancement on social media platform X, highlighting the flourishing innovation landscape driven by the country’s innovators and entrepreneurs. The steady improvement in India’s GII ranking can be attributed to its strong knowledge base, a dynamic ..... Read More

PM launches three PARAM Rudra supercomputers via video.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually dedicated three PARAM Rudra Supercomputers, valued at approximately $16 million, to the nation today. Developed under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), these advanced systems have been installed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata to drive groundbreaking research in fields such as physics, cosmology, and earth sciences. Additionally, the Prime Minister unveiled a High-Performance Computing (HPC) system focused on weather and climate research, further strengthening India’s scientific capabilities. Du ..... Read More

India’s gold demand rises with import tax cut before wedding season.

India’s gold demand is set to experience significant growth, supported by a reduction in import taxes and the upcoming festive and wedding seasons, which traditionally see increased purchases. Jewelry buying is expected to pick up as the festival period approaches, with gold being considered auspicious for both wearing and gifting. According to the World Gold Council, gold imports in August surged to 140 tons, more than triple the amount imported the previous month, following the government’s decision to cut the customs duty from 15% to ..... Read More

US Supports Permanent UNSC Seats for India, Japan, Germany: Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed strong support for the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to ensure better representation for the developing world. Speaking at the ‘Summit of the Future’ during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, he reiterated the US’s longstanding endorsement of permanent seats for India, Japan, and Germany. Blinken proposed the inclusion of two permanent seats for Africa, a rotating seat for Small Island Developing States, and permanent representation ..... Read More

Kamala Harris to Visit US-Mexico Border Amid Election Campaign

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, 59, is set to visit the US-Mexico border on Friday, marking her first visit as the Democratic nominee, according to a White House announcement made Wednesday. Harris plans to travel to Douglas, Arizona, where she will discuss border security issues and advocate for what her campaign labels as “the toughest bipartisan border security plan in a generation.” Immigration has emerged as a critical topic for both major political parties in the lead-up to the upcoming p ..... Read More

Nishanth Rodrigues Named CIO of University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma has officially appointed Nishanth Rodrigues as its new Chief Information Officer, as announced last week. Rodrigues, an Indian American currently serving as the CIO at the University of Mississippi, will take up his new role at OU at the end of the month. He succeeds interim CIO Chris Kobza, following the vacancy created when David Horton departed to become Penn State’s vice president for information technology and chief information officer last spring. According to OU Daily, the student-run publication, Rodrigues b ..... Read More

EAM shares India’s stance on global governance reform at G20 meet

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted India’s position on key global governance reforms during his speech at the second G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. This event took place under Brazil’s G20 Presidency, alongside the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting, chaired by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, included prominent global leaders such as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. As a member of the ..... Read More

dsm-firmenich to invest $100M in India: CEO Vreeze

Swiss-Dutch nutrition, health, and beauty company dsm-firmenich is planning a significant investment of over $100 million (more than ₹835 crore) in India, as announced by its global CEO, Dimitri de Vreeze, on September 25. This investment will focus on expanding capacity, including the construction of a new manufacturing plant, as the company aims to make India a key export hub for ingredients supporting its global operations. Formed through the merger of the Netherlands-based DSM and Switzerland’s Firmenich, both over a century old, ..... Read More

PM Modi Celebrates 10 Years of “Make in India,” Lauds Collective Efforts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, praised the efforts of everyone involved in the success of his visionary “Make in India” initiative, which was launched on September 25, 2014. In a LinkedIn article marking the 10-year milestone of the initiative, Modi expressed his appreciation for the countless individuals who have contributed to making “Make in India” a reality. He described these contributors as pioneers, visionaries, and innovators whose relentless dedication has brought global attention and curiosity t ..... Read More

India Becomes Third-Largest Power in Asia-Pacific Region

India has overtaken Japan as the third-largest power in the Asia-Pacific, according to the latest Asia Power Index. The report highlights India’s growing geopolitical presence, bolstered by a dynamic economy, expanding youthful population, and post-pandemic recovery. A key contributor to India’s rise is the country’s Economic Capability score, which saw a 4.2-point increase due to its strong GDP growth and substantial population, solidifying its place as the third-largest global economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP ..... Read More

New report warns alcohol raises cancer risk

The 2024 American Association for Cancer Research’s Cancer Progress Report reveals significant strides in cancer research, with a 33% reduction in the overall cancer death rate in the U.S. from 1991 to 2021. This progress stems from factors like effective tobacco control, early cancer screenings, and advanced treatments. Despite these gains, the report highlights concerns about barriers to prevention tools, such as limited vaccine access and unhealthy lifestyle habits, which may contribute to over 2 million new cancer diagnoses project ..... Read More

Indian-origin techie builds Iris, a wearable for infinite memory

As we age, it becomes increasingly difficult to recall all our treasured memories. Advait Paliwal, an Indian-origin entrepreneur, has introduced a groundbreaking solution to this challenge with his latest creation, Iris. This wearable device, powered by artificial intelligence, captures a photo every minute, automatically labeling and arranging them into a seamless timeline. In a social media post, Paliwal introduced Iris, highlighting its potential to offer users what he calls an “infinite memory” of their life. Iris comes with ..... Read More

Shots Fired at Kamala Harris’s Campaign Office in Arizona

Shots were fired at Kamala Harris’s election campaign office in Tempe, Arizona, marking the second attack in a month after the front windows were previously targeted with a pellet gun. Tempe Police confirmed the incident to NBC News, stating that “damage from gunfire” was found at the Democratic National Committee office, though there were no injuries reported. Sgt. Ryan Cook, a Public Information Officer for the Tempe Police, emphasized the concerns raised regarding the safety of employees and nearby residents. Local televisi ..... Read More

India Emerges as Global Hub for Data Analytics Skills

With the global surge in demand for data analytics, companies are actively searching for skilled professionals in this field, and India is emerging as a leading hub. According to Cornerstone’s Global State of the Skills Economy Report 2024, India boasts 17.4% of job postings seeking data analytics expertise from January to July this year, significantly outpacing other countries. The report indicates that over the past five years, the percentage of job postings related to data analytics has skyrocketed by 52%, underscoring the importanc ..... Read More

India driving global AI innovation; SAP Labs campus plans on track

SAP Labs India, the largest research and development center for German software giant SAP outside its headquarters, is rapidly advancing its AI initiatives, according to Managing Director Sindhu Gangadharan. As the company moves forward with the construction of a massive new campus in Bengaluru, set to be completed by 2025, it aims to solidify its position as a leader in AI innovation globally. Gangadharan highlighted that artificial intelligence, including generative AI, is transforming businesses by allowing them to reimagine customer experie ..... Read More

PM Modi Meets Vietnam, Armenia Leaders and Sikh Community

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Vietnamese President To Lam to explore ways to deepen bilateral relations. The two leaders emphasized strengthening cooperation in key areas such as connectivity, trade, and culture, reflecting the strong India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In a post on X, Modi expressed his enthusiasm about the meeting, noting their mutual commitment to boosting ties between the two nations. Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Presi ..... Read More

Piyush Goyal: India Leads as the Prime Spot for Investment and Manufacturing

In a recent discussion, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the remarkable progress of the Make in India initiative over the last ten years, recognizing India as a leading global hub for manufacturing. He highlighted how the initiative has played a vital role in creating jobs, drawing in significant domestic and international investments, and fostering self-sufficiency across various industries. By implementing several reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, promoting high-quality production, and reinforcing th ..... Read More

Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is India’s 97th Oscars Entry

India has officially selected Laapataa Ladies as its entry for the Best Foreign Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, the film aims to highlight significant social issues while representing Indian cinema on the global stage. The announcement was confirmed by Kiran Rao’s team. Laapataa Ladies explores themes of gender equality and women’s empowerment in rural India, focusing on the narrative of two brides who are mistakenly swapped during a train journey in 2001. The film stars ..... Read More