Author: News Desk

Retired NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who spent over 608 days in orbit during her distinguished 27-year career, recently opened up about two of the most unusual sights she encountered while in space. Speaking on a podcast with host Raj Shamani, Williams said one of the most striking impressions from her time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was the sheer number of communication satellites now circling Earth. While the satellites support modern connectivity, their abundance made a lasting visual impact on her. “The amount of stuff in orbit around the planet — a lot of communication satellites — really stood out,” she said, noting that constellations of satellites have grown…

AI should not be feared; instead of focusing solely on what AI can do, the focus must be on who it serves, said speaker A.N. Shamsheer at the Kerala Regional AI Impact Conference, held at The Leela Raviz, Kovalam. The event aimed to evaluate AI’s practical applications across sectors as well as its social and economic impact. He emphasized that AI should be used continuously and critically, but without fear. Its value emerges only when it improves human life. Shamsheer highlighted the importance of ethical AI and spreading awareness about the technology among the public. He also stressed that potential…

Payments infrastructure company Juspay announced on January 23 that it has raised $50 million in a Series D follow-on round from WestBridge Capital, valuing the startup at $1.2 billion. The funding aims to accelerate Juspay’s international expansion and strengthen its position as a core payments infrastructure provider for enterprises and banks. Use of FundsThe funding round included both primary and secondary transactions. Primary capital will support Juspay’s expansion into international markets and deepen investments in its technology stack, while the secondary component provides liquidity for early investors and employees holding ESOPs. This marks the company’s second liquidity event within a…

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is expected to visit India in mid-February, marking his first trip to the country in nearly a year, sources told TechCrunch. His visit coincides with the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, which will bring together global AI leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, alongside top Indian executives such as Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. Altman is not currently listed as a confirmed attendee. According to sources, OpenAI is planning closed-door meetings on the sidelines of the summit in New…

PepsiCo India announced on Friday that Savitha Balachandran has been appointed as chief financial officer for India and South Asia. She will succeed Kaushik Mitra, who is set to retire on April 15 after 24 years with the company. The company stated that Balachandran will assume the role following a structured transition period. In her new position, she will oversee the finance function across India and South Asia, guiding financial strategy, governance, and performance management. “Savitha will work closely with the leadership team to support PepsiCo’s long-term growth agenda in India, one of the company’s key anchor markets,” the company…

Hitachi India is set to expand its local workforce by more than 5,000 over the next five years, betting on rapid infrastructure growth and digital transformation across the country. The company’s investments will span energy, artificial intelligence, and resource management, integrated with Hitachi’s global centres of excellence, said Bharat Kaushal, executive chairman of Hitachi India, during the World Economic Forum in Davos. Currently, Hitachi India employs 42,000 people across multiple business lines. The recruitment drive is part of a broader strategy to capitalise on surging investment in India’s energy and rail sectors and the increasing adoption of advanced technologies such…

India and the European Union are set to sign a long-pending free trade agreement on January 27, ending years of complex negotiations defined by firm red lines on both sides. The talks, relaunched in 2022 after nearly a decade of stagnation, have progressed amid shifting global trade patterns, efforts to diversify supply chains, and a shared desire to strengthen strategic economic ties. “Even as momentum has increased in recent rounds, negotiators have been careful to balance commitments to market opening with domestic priorities. The talks have been as much about managing sensitivities as expanding trade,” said a commerce ministry official.…

The European Union’s high-profile participation in India’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi has unsettled Khalistani groups and Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence, according to intelligence inputs cited by CNN News18. This year’s celebrations will feature a marching contingent from the EU, including four flag bearers travelling in two Gypsy vehicles along the parade route. The display coincides with the visit of senior EU leaders Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will attend the event as chief guests. India EU Summit and High-Level Engagements During their visit, Costa and von der Leyen will co chair the…

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that technology should be harnessed to bring meaningful improvements to people’s lives, rather than remain confined to theoretical discussions. He made the remarks while inaugurating the closing session of the AI FutureCon summit in Thiruvananthapuram. The summit, held in Kerala as a precursor to the Global AI Summit scheduled in Delhi this February, marks an important milestone in the state’s vision for a knowledge-driven, modern Kerala. “Kerala is committed to using innovative and technological ideas to drive social change,” Vijayan said. The Chief Minister noted that artificial intelligence can play a key role in…

The Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express has been launched, offering a new weekly connection between Thiruvananthapuram Central in Kerala and Tambaram in Tamil Nadu. The service operates under train numbers 16122 (TVC → TBM) and 16121 (TBM → TVC), catering to travellers across key cities in the southern region. Running once a week in both directions, the Amrit Bharat Express departs Thiruvananthapuram Central on Thursdays at 10:40 hrs and arrives in Tambaram at 23:45 hrs, while the return journey leaves Tambaram on Wednesdays at 17:30 hrs and reaches Thiruvananthapuram Central at 08:00 hrs. During its journey, the train stops at 15 stations, including Nagercoil Town, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchchirappalli, Villupuram and Chengalpattu, improving rail mobility for passengers travelling…