Namya Joshi, a 16-year-old tech prodigy from Ludhiana, India, has been selected to deliver a keynote address at the Bett edtech conference in London next January. Joshi will lead sessions on using game-based learning for social-emotional development and creating engaging game lessons. Credited as India's "Top Tech Savvy Student" at just 16, Joshi became passionate about using games like Minecraft as educational tools. She looks forward to connecting with the global edtech community and sharing ideas on how video games can help kids learn.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he would fire 75% of the federal workforce if elected president. Ramaswamy wants to eliminate five federal agencies including the FBI and Department of Education. He laid out the proposal while speaking at the America First Policy Institute in Washington. Ramaswamy joins other conservative candidates targeting the federal government and law enforcement amid anger over investigations into former president Trump. His proposal is among the most sweeping in the Republican field to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, an Indian-origin economist, was sworn in as the new president of Singapore on Thursday. The 66-year-old succeeded President Halimah Yacob after serving as senior minister from 2019-2023. Shanmugaratnam, who was born in Singapore, won over 70% of the vote in the recent election against two rivals. He has a long history of public service in Singapore, including as deputy prime minister and head of the central bank. Shanmugaratnam said the election was a vote of confidence in Singapore's future. He is the city-state's third president of Indian origin.

A UK Coroner has warned about the dangers of high protein drinks after the death of 16-year-old Rohan Godhania. Godhania died from brain damage in 2020 after consuming a high protein drink. He had undiagnosed conditions that prevented him from breaking down ammonia, which were triggered by the drink. The coroner has urged better labeling to warn of risks, especially for those with urea disorders. He also called for more consistent NHS guidance on treating 16-18 year olds, and on testing for ammonia in emergency departments.

A 17-year-old Sikh student was assaulted in Kelowna, British Columbia after an altercation on a public transit bus. The student was kicked, punched and pepper-sprayed by another teenage male after exiting the bus. An investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is underway. The World Sikh Organization of Canada has called the attack shocking and unacceptable. The student was confronted and threatened on the bus before the physical assault outside the bus.

On January 23, 23-year-old Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula was killed in Seattle after being hit by a speeding police car driven by Officer Kevin Dave while crossing the road legally at a crosswalk. She was taken to Harborview Medical Center but succumbed to her injuries. Preliminary investigations found Dave was driving at about 119 km/hr when he hit the brakes just 1 second before impact, slamming into Kandula at 101 km/hr and throwing her over 100 feet. The posted speed limit was only 40 km/hr. Police concluded the vehicle's excessive speed was the main factor in the collision, not providing enough time for Dave or Kandula to avoid the hazard. The tragic incident raised concerns over road safety and police driving protocols.

Jaahnavi Kandula was a bright young Indian girl from Andhra Pradesh with a bright future ahead. The 23-year-old was pursuing her Master's degree at Northeastern University in Seattle after going to the US in 2021 through a student exchange program. She was due to graduate in December when her life was tragically cut short. Jaahnavi, the beloved daughter of a single mother, was killed in January by a police vehicle while crossing a road. The distressing video of a cop laughing about her death has compounded the grief of her heartbroken family. Her memory lives on as a symbol of the unrealized promise of the many Indian students who go abroad to study each year.

The family of Jaahnavi Kandula, the Indian student killed by a police car in Seattle, is distressed over newly released bodycam footage. In it, an officer callously laughs about the incident, saying the 23-year-old had "limited value" and was worth only an 11,000-dollar payout. The insensitive remarks have compounded the grief and trauma faced by Ms. Kandula's parents. Her grandfather questioned why this footage wasn't shared earlier and rejected claims the police vehicle wasn't speeding. The family statement affirmed Jaahnavi's invaluable life and condemned comments belittling the tragic loss. Ms. Kandula was a Northeastern University student due to graduate soon. She was hit by a police car in January while crossing a road.

The Biden administration assured India of a prompt investigation after its ambassador to the US sought action over a video showing a Seattle police officer laughing about the death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula. The 23-year-old was killed by a speeding patrol car. Indian officials expressed shock and horror over the incident. They have been assured that the matter is being taken very seriously and monitored from Washington DC to ensure accountability. Earlier, India's consulate in San Francisco called the matter "deeply troubling" and said it was taken up with authorities.

Indian-origin Singaporean Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be sworn in as Singapore's ninth president on Thursday. The 66-year-old economist and former deputy prime minister, who has served Singapore in public service throughout his life, won 70.4% of the popular vote in the September 1 election. Shanmugaratnam, of Tamil heritage, received an overwhelming endorsement from the predominantly Chinese society in Singapore's first contested presidential poll since 2011. The elected president serves a 6-year term. Shanmugaratnam will succeed outgoing President Halimah Yacob. He is also the first president of Indian heritage since SR Nathan (1999-2011).