Author: News Desk

Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch has written an open letter to India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, raising alarm over the expanding strategic partnership between Pakistan and China and warning that Beijing could deploy Chinese military forces in Balochistan in the coming months. The letter, dated January 1, 2026, highlights concerns that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship infrastructure initiative, has entered its final phase, creating conditions that could facilitate a permanent Chinese military presence in the resource-rich and restive province. Mir Yar Baloch described continued Pakistan control over Balochistan as involving decades of repression, state-sponsored violence and human rights abuses, and argued that lack of support for…

China has publicly acknowledged India’s achievement in overtaking Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, a milestone driven by India’s sustained growth momentum and demographic advantages. In remarks reported by state media, Chinese officials highlighted that true economic strength comes from structural reforms, productivity improvements and long-term development strategies, factors India has prioritised in recent years amid rapid expansion. India’s ascent in global GDP rankings reflects robust performance across key sectors such as services, manufacturing, technology and digital adoption, as well as ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing ease of doing business and attracting investment. Economists point to strong domestic demand, export resilience and policy support as critical…

Edward Nathan Varghese, a final-year Computer Science and Engineering student at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H), has made history by securing the highest placement package ever offered at the institute, a staggering ₹2.5 crore per annum. The offer comes from Optiver, a Netherlands-based global trading firm, where Varghese will join as a software engineer starting in July 2026 after converting his two-month summer internship into a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO). At just 21 years old, Varghese outshined peers in a competitive placement season, securing this remarkable offer through his first and only interview during the cycle. Born in Hyderabad and raised partly in Bengaluru, he credits his success to…

The Reserve Bank of India has confirmed that nearly all Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation at the time of their withdrawal announcement have been returned to the banking system. According to RBI data, 98.41 percent of these high-value notes have been deposited since the central bank announced their withdrawal on May 19, 2023. At that time, Rs 2,000 notes worth Rs 3.56 lakh crore were in circulation. By December 31, 2025, the total value of these notes in circulation had dropped dramatically to just Rs 5,669 crore. The RBI provided multiple channels for returning the notes. All bank branches across…

Billionaire Elon Musk has pledged to donate $100 million to charity in early 2026, a move that is being highlighted both for its potential philanthropic impact and significant tax benefits. While details on the exact distribution of funds are still emerging, Musk’s announcement has drawn global attention as one of the most prominent philanthropic commitments by a tech entrepreneur in recent years. Musk’s donation aligns with his increasing engagement in philanthropic activities, including initiatives focused on science, climate change, education and health. Observers say the timing and structure of the pledge may also yield large tax advantages under U.S. tax laws, potentially allowing Musk to offset gains and…

Food is more than a way to satisfy hunger. It is a connector of people, a storyteller, and a keeper of memories. Every meal carries a story, from moments of joy to comfort in sadness, making food an integral part of life’s journey. Celebrating this connection, Swiggy has released its report on the most ordered dishes by Indians in 2025, highlighting the foods that dominated orders across the country. At the top of the list is biryani with 93 million orders. This aromatic rice dish, slow cooked with marinated meat or vegetables, layered with spices, and finished with fried onions and saffron…

Food delivery platforms Zomato, Swiggy, and magicpin saw a record surge in orders on New Year’s Eve, proving the industry’s critical role in India’s celebrations despite a nationwide strike call by a section of gig workers demanding better pay and working conditions. Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal highlighted that both Zomato and Blinkit operated at peak efficiency, delivering over 75 lakh orders to more than 63 lakh customers across the country, with strong support from local authorities keeping disruptions minimal. Magicpin echoed the sentiment, noting that metro cities experienced an unbroken flow of orders throughout the evening. Popular dishes dominated the…

Shares of Sapphire Foods and Devyani International are in focus after both companies approved a long-awaited merger. These two companies are the main franchise partners of Yum Brands in India. The merger announcement was made after market hours on Thursday, so both stocks are expected to react when markets open on Friday, January 2. As per the approved share swap arrangement, shareholders of Sapphire Foods will receive 177 shares of Devyani International for every 100 shares they hold. Based on current market prices, Devyani shares are trading near ₹147 and Sapphire shares around ₹261. This means the deal value is…

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) marked a historic milestone on New Year’s Day, recording a staggering 1,61,683 passenger journeys across its integrated network, which includes Metro rail, electric feeder buses, and Water Metro. This represents the highest single-day ridership since the system began operations. Of the total, 1,39,766 passengers travelled on Metro trains, which ran extended services until 2am, while feeder buses operated until 4am, carrying a record 6,817 passengers. Water Metro also saw heavy patronage, with around 15,000 passengers using eco-friendly services on key routes, including Mattancherry-High Court and Vypeen-High Court. The day also saw KMRL achieve its highest-ever…

British private equity firm Apax Partners is poised to acquire a 25% stake in Bengaluru-based ready-to-cook breakfast staples maker iD Fresh Food for close to ₹1,300 crore, valuing the company at approximately ₹4,500 crore. The deal reportedly edges out rivals including Carlyle, Kedaara, Permira, ChrysCap, Multiples, and Verlinvest, making it one of Apax’s first pure-play consumer investments in India. Founded in 2005 by PC Musthafa and four cousins, iD Fresh has built a strong presence in the market with its preservative-free, home-style packaged batters for idli and dosa, supported by a controlled logistics network that sets it apart from brands…