Author: Rehmat Arora

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is scheduled to meet with Indian startups this week to understand the impact of the abrupt closure of the troubled Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and offer government assistance in overcoming the crisis. According to recent data from market intelligence platform Tracxn, SVB had exposure to at least 21 startups in India, although the amount invested in these startups is unknown. The collapse of the US-based SVB, the largest lender to some of the world’s largest tech companies, has triggered fear in the Indian startup ecosystem. Background on SVB collapse and its impact on startups The failure…

The FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week kicked off with a bang this year, showcasing some of the most stunning collections and designs from top designers in the industry. The event saw a perfect blend of boundary-pushing statements, excellent craftsmanship, and reinvented classics that took over the runways. While designers amped up the shimmer and shine game, Bollywood celebrities were also seen walking the ramp, bringing glamour and glitz to the event. The first day of the fashion week was dedicated to Sustainable Fashion, where Gennext 2024 winners KoAi, Hiro, and Rudraksh Dwivedi showcased their collections. KoAi’s collection titled Coalescence was…

Vladimir Putin According to recent reports, the Kremlin has suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin may attend the G20 summit in September, which will be hosted by India, despite the ongoing tensions with the West over the Ukraine conflict. The decision has not yet been made, but the Kremlin has indicated that Putin’s participation cannot be ruled out. ​​The G20 Leaders’ Summit is a highly significant international forum for economic cooperation, with member nations discussing and working on issues related to global economic growth, international trade and investment, employment, and energy. Given the current global economic climate and the impact…

A Nigerian passenger aboard an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Doha has died after falling ill mid-flight, prompting an emergency landing in Karachi, Pakistan. The airline confirmed in a statement that the passenger, identified as Abdullah and believed to be around 60 years old, was declared dead by the airport medical team upon landing. The flight was allowed to take off from Karachi after the authorities issued a death certificate and completed all necessary formalities. According to officials, the captain of the A320-271N aircraft requested an emergency landing at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi after the passenger fell ill onboard.…

Amid rising cases of the H3N2 influenza virus, concerns mount as people wonder whether H3N2 could possibly turn out to be the next Covid-19. India has reported two deaths from the H3N2 subtype of the Influenza A virus, one each in Karnataka and Haryana. The country has also reported over 3000 cases of the virus across different states. The recent uptick in intense cough lasting over a week coupled with fever in several parts of the country has been linked to the H3N2 virus by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Doctors have advised resuming COVID-era preventive protocols to…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the opening meeting of the foreign ministers of G20 on Thursday, highlighting the deep global divisions and the crisis facing multilateralism.  The PM drew attention to the fact that many developing countries are struggling with unsustainable debt while trying to ensure food and energy security for their people. These countries are also the ones most affected by global warming caused by richer countries. PM Modi added that India’s G20 presidency aimed to give a voice to the Global South. Furthermore, he added, no group can claim to be global leaders without helping and listening…

British navy seizes Iranian missiles: parts likely for Yemen,authorities said Thursday, the latest such seizure in the Gulf On February 23, 2024, the Royal Navy intercepted a boat in the Gulf of Oman carrying anti-tank missiles and fins for ballistic missile assemblies that were likely destined for Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The seizure took place after a US aircraft detected the small motorboat with cargo covered by a grey tarp heading from Iran. The Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster gave chase to the vessel, which then attempted to re-enter Iranian territorial waters but was stopped before it could. British navy seizes…

Dior and Saint Laurent, two of the biggest names in French fashion, recently unveiled their latest collections at Paris Fashion Week. Both designers took inspiration from strong, independent women and nostalgia, creating collections that combined the past with the present. Dior Dior’s collection was presented under a giant surreal flower made of fluorescent textiles, offering a softer reworking of its classic New Look from the 1950s. Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior’s designer, explained that she aimed to reclaim the 1950s for France because they have been monopolized in popular memory by the US. She chose Catherine Dior, Gréco, and Édith Piaf…

Air India has placed an order for a record 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, at a list price of $70 billion. The airline plans to fund the deal with a combination of internal cash flow, equity, and sale and leaseback. The CEO of Air India, Campbell Wilson, said that the airline has “enormous” potential and is working on becoming a significant international player. The new aircraft will start entering the fleet from the end of this year through the end of the decade, enabling the airline to transform its fleet and power significant network and capacity expansion. Air India…

RRR, the Telugu language period drama directed by SS Rajamouli, continues to make waves in Hollywood’s award season. After winning big at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards earlier this year, the film emerged victorious at the Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) Awards held on Saturday in Los Angeles, California. RRR won four awards in total, including Best International Film, Best Action Film, Best Stunts, and Best Original Song for the Oscar-nominated “Naatu Naatu.” The team behind RRR, including SS Rajamouli, Ram Charan, MM Keeravani, and other members, were elated with the film’s latest recognition. The official Twitter handle of…