Author: News Desk

TGI Fridays, once a staple of the American casual dining experience, has been rapidly closing locations across the United States. In the past several months, the restaurant chain has shut down over 130 stores as it grapples with ongoing financial challenges. The closures come after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024, citing declining sales, shifting consumer habits, and mounting debt. Widespread Closures Across Multiple States The latest round of shutdowns has impacted TGI Fridays locations in New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Signs placed on locked doors have informed customers that closing the stores…

JioHotstar, the streaming platform owned by JioStar, has crossed 100 million paid subscribers within two months of its February 14 launch. This milestone follows the merger of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema. The subscriber count includes both direct sign-ups and those acquired through telecom bundling deals. At launch, the platform had 50 million paying subscribers, alongside 500 million overall users. Commitment to Accessibility and Innovation Kiran Mani, CEO – Digital at JioHotstar, highlighted the platform’s vision of making top-tier entertainment accessible to all. “Crossing 100 million subscribers reinforces India’s immense potential and strengthens our commitment to pioneering category-first experiences at scale,”…

Abu Dhabi is set to become the first city in the region to operate Archer Aviation’s ‘Midnight’ flying taxi. A partnership agreement was signed between Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) and US-based Archer Aviation, making ADA the company’s first global ‘Launch Edition’ customer. The deal includes the supply of Midnight aircraft later this year. First Operator in the Region Abu Dhabi Aviation will fund and oversee the deployment of Midnight, marking a major step in the region’s urban air mobility sector. Test flights are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025 to assess the aircraft’s performance in extreme temperatures before…

Saudi Aramco is in discussions to invest in two planned refineries in India as it seeks a steady outlet for its crude in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. India, the third-largest oil consumer, aims to become a global refining hub while Western nations reduce crude processing capacity to shift toward cleaner energy sources. Declining Saudi Share in India’s Oil Imports Despite being a key oil supplier, Saudi Arabia’s share in India’s crude imports has declined. Indian refiners have invested billions to upgrade their facilities and are increasingly sourcing cheaper alternatives, including Russian oil. Planned Investments in BPCL and ONGC…

Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, has witnessed a ₹1 lakh crore increase in his wealth, according to the 2025 Hurun Global Rich List. This makes him the individual with the highest wealth growth in India during this period. With a 13% rise in net worth, Adani has climbed to the second position among India’s richest individuals, now holding a total wealth of ₹8.4 lakh crore. Mukesh Ambani remains the wealthiest Indian, with assets worth ₹8.6 lakh crore. A notable highlight of the latest Hurun list is Roshni Nadar from HCL, who has entered the top ten richest Indians…

India is set to upgrade 25,000 km of two-lane highways into four-lane highways at a cost of ₹10 lakh crore. This ambitious project aims to reduce road accidents and improve connectivity. Additionally, 16,000 km of National Highways will be expanded to six lanes for ₹6 lakh crore. Road Safety and Economic Impact Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized that reducing road accidents is a top priority. India records 4,80,000 accidents annually, causing 1,88,000 deaths, mostly among people aged 18 to 45. Road accidents also cost the country 3% of its GDP each year. The government aims to cut road mishaps by…

The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), a part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has successfully completed around 30,000 autonomous vehicle trips, covering over 430,000 km in Abu Dhabi. Following the success of trials in Yas and Saadiyat Islands, the service is now expanding to Zayed International Airport’s access roads. Expanding Smart Transport Solutions Abu Dhabi is committed to advancing smart transport by integrating cutting-edge technology into sustainable mobility solutions. Partnering with Space 42 and Uber, Abu Dhabi Mobility is gradually rolling out autonomous taxis across the emirate, enhancing accessibility and efficiency in urban transport. Ensuring Safety and…

Faqir Chand Kohli, widely regarded as the “Father of the Indian IT Industry,” was born in 1924 in Peshawar (now in Pakistan). He completed his early education in Lahore at Punjab University, earning a BA and BSc (Hons) with a gold medal for academic excellence. His pursuit of knowledge took him abroad, where he earned a BSc (Hons) in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University, Canada, in 1948. He later pursued a Master’s degree at the prestigious MIT while working at Canadian General Electric, gaining valuable experience that would later shape India’s IT landscape. The Architect of TCS and Indian IT…

Land Rover has launched the Defender Octa in India, marking it as the most powerful and rugged Defender ever built. With a starting price of ₹2.59 crore (ex-showroom) and the Edition One variant priced ₹20 lakh higher, the Octa sets a new benchmark in luxury off-roading. Powerful Performance At the heart of the Defender Octa is a 4.4-litre twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8 engine, delivering a massive 626 hp and 800 Nm of torque. This power allows the SUV to sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 250 kmph. The eight-speed automatic transmission ensures…

Preity Zinta’s journey is a remarkable blend of talent, ambition, and smart investments. Born into an Army family on January 31, 1975, she rose to stardom with her Bollywood debut in Dil Se and went on to shine in hits like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer-Zaara, and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. While she made a name for herself in the film industry, her influence extends beyond the silver screen. As a co-owner of the Punjab Kings IPL team and a savvy investor, she has built a fortune worth millions, securing her place as both a beloved actress and a successful…