Author: News Desk
Saudi Arabia has officially opened registration for Hajj 1447 AH (2026) for pilgrims from Muslim-minority countries via the Nusuk Hajj platform. The fully digital system allows direct registration without intermediaries, enabling users to create accounts, upload documents, and include up to seven family members. Guides can also apply through the same platform. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah warned against unauthorised services, stressing that only licensed providers are permitted. Eligible pilgrims can now register directly through Nusuk Hajj, eliminating the need for external agents and ensuring a secure, official process. Registration began on 15 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1447 AH, corresponding to…
India’s naval power is growing rapidly, with a new indigenous warship or submarine joining the fleet every 40 days, according to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Speaking at the India Defence Conclave, he said the Navy’s priority is to strengthen self-reliance and build sovereign capabilities to meet evolving maritime challenges. The Navy currently operates around 145 warships and submarines and aims to expand to over 200 by 2035. All 52 vessels currently under construction are being built in Indian shipyards. Admiral Tripathi said the Navy’s vision is to extend self-reliance down to the component level and become…
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday sought to ease concerns that the privatisation of public sector banks would harm financial inclusion or weaken national interest. Speaking at the Diamond Jubilee Valedictory Lecture at the Delhi School of Economics, she said that the 1969 bank nationalisation, while politically significant, did not fully achieve its intended goals. It helped promote priority sector lending and expand government-led programmes, but she argued that government control had also made public sector banks less professional and efficient. “Even after five decades of nationalisation, the objectives were not entirely met,” she said. “Once we professionalised the banks,…
Mehli Mistry, recently removed from Tata Trusts after an internal disagreement, has written to Noel Tata in a letter that reflects restraint and loyalty to the organisation’s legacy. In the letter, Mistry reminded Noel Tata of a promise he once made to Ratan Tata to always act in a way that would not draw the Tata Trusts into controversy. He said that provoking conflict would only damage the Trusts’ long-standing reputation and the values they stand for. Mistry said his message should help end ongoing media speculation that distracts from the Trusts’ purpose and vision. He recalled that during his…
India and Israel have signed a major agreement to expand their already strong defence partnership, focusing on strategic collaboration, advanced technology, and joint innovation. The new memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims to deepen cooperation in key areas including military training, defence-industrial projects, science and technology, research and development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Signed during a joint working group meeting in Tel Aviv, the agreement was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Israel’s Defence Ministry Director-General Maj Gen (retd) Amir Baram. Both sides described the pact as an important step toward building a future-ready security relationship. “The MoU…
The death of Gopichand P. Hinduja, chairman of the Hinduja Group and one of Britain’s richest businessmen, has turned attention to the future of one of the world’s most influential family empires. His passing comes less than two years after that of his elder brother and predecessor, Srichand P. Hinduja, closing a defining chapter for the century-old conglomerate. Gopichand, who took over as group chairman in May 2023, led a business network that spans continents and industries including automotive, banking, energy, healthcare, and digital services. Under his leadership, the Hinduja family remained the wealthiest in the United Kingdom, topping The…
Reiterating Delhi’s support for the Gaza peace process and joint resolve against terrorism, India and Israel on Tuesday underscored their commitment to a long-term strategic partnership during talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and visiting Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in New Delhi. Jaishankar said the India-Israel partnership “has real meaning,” built on trust and reliability through challenging times. Both ministers agreed to expand cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, semiconductors, renewable energy, healthcare, and agriculture. They also discussed greater participation of Indian companies in Israel’s infrastructure projects and more mobility for Indian skilled workers. Sa’ar, recalling that Prime Minister Narendra…
India’s women cricketers are rewriting the rules, not just with historic wins and record-breaking performances, but by commanding serious financial power. The landscape has transformed with central contracts, the Women’s Premier League (WPL), brand endorsements and media roles now fueling multi-crore careers. At the top stands Mithali Raj, with an estimated net worth of ₹40-45 crore, driven by her leadership legacy, broadcast career, endorsements and WPL advisory role. Following closely is Smriti Mandhana at ~₹32-34 crore, India’s global batting star and one of the highest-paid WPL players with major sponsorships boosting her brand value. Harmanpreet Kaur, with ~₹24-26 crore, blends captaincy fame, international…
India is preparing for a major leap in aerospace technology with a ₹65,400 crore ($7.44 billion) plan to design and produce fighter jet engines by 2035. The goal is simple, build engines at home, reduce imports, and make India self-reliant in one of defence’s most complex areas, aircraft propulsion. This project is central to India’s long-term vision of powering its future fleet, from the advanced Tejas Mk2 and the stealth AMCA to upgraded fighters and unmanned combat aircraft. In the next decade, about 1,100 engines are expected to roll out under this mission. At the heart of this effort is…
OpenAI is giving its Indian users a major boost by making the ChatGPT Go plan free for one year starting November 4. The offer, now live on the web and Android, gives access to the latest GPT 5 model with faster responses, longer chats, file uploads, and image generation, all at no cost. iOS users will get the update soon. ChatGPT Go usually costs about 400 rupees per month and sits between the free and Pro versions. It allows users to create images, analyze documents, and enjoy ten times higher usage limits. It also remembers previous conversations, making interactions feel…