Author: News Desk
Artist and curator Bose Krishnamachari has stepped down from the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF). He was a co-founder of the foundation and served as its president, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees. The resignation was attributed to pressing family reasons, according to a statement issued on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, by KBF chairperson Venu V. Krishnamachari has not made a public statement on the decision. His departure comes during the ongoing edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. Krishnamachari was the co-curator of the first edition of the biennale in 2012, alongside artist Riyas Komu. In the statement,…
The Indian Navy is poised for a historic year in 2026, with plans to commission 19 warship, the largest single-year induction in its history. This pace of acquisitions underlines the rapid maturation of India’s indigenous shipbuilding sector and reflects a broader strategic push to transform the navy into a modern blue-water force capable of responding to evolving security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. Among the vessels slated for induction are advanced platforms such as Nilgiri-class multi-role stealth frigates, which are equipped with modern sensors, weapons and stealth features, enhancing India’s anti-submarine and surface warfare capabilities. Other additions include specialised survey and diving support vessels that bolster operational flexibility and support…
The Tamil Nadu government has signed a landmark MoU with Sarvam AI to establish India’s first full-stack Sovereign Artificial Intelligence (AI) Park in Chennai, marking a significant step in expanding the country’s indigenous AI capabilities and digital infrastructure. The project will see an initial investment of ₹10,000 crore and aims to create over 1,000 high-skilled, deep-tech jobs in areas such as AI research, infrastructure engineering and governance technologies. Designed as a purpose-built AI ecosystem, the Sovereign AI Park will integrate high-performance compute infrastructure, secure data frameworks, model research labs and innovation clusters, along with a dedicated Institute for AI in Governance to support the development and deployment of AI systems within a trusted, state-led…
Kerala has officially designated Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kannur district as the state’s first butterfly sanctuary, recognising its exceptional diversity of butterfly species and its importance as a conservation area. The move underscores Kerala’s commitment to protecting delicate ecosystems and promoting eco-tourism that is aligned with wildlife preservation. Aralam’s varied habitat, including moist deciduous forests, riverine landscapes and flowering grasslandS, provide ideal conditions for hundreds of butterfly species, many of which display vibrant colours and unique patterns. The sanctuary is also known for seasonal butterfly migrations, drawing nature enthusiasts and photographers to witness spectacular gatherings of butterflies fluttering across flowering meadows. The sanctuary’s new…
Ola Electric has formally expanded beyond its core electric vehicle business with the launch of Ola Shakti, a residential Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) designed to meet home and small-business power needs. The product, rolled out from the company’s Gigafactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, represents Ola’s entry into India’s fast-growing energy storage market. Powered by the company’s indigenous 4680 Bharat cell technology, Ola Shakti aims to provide reliable, scalable backup power and intelligent energy management for households and enterprises. The system can be configured in multiple capacities to suit different usage requirements, making it suitable for powering appliances and essential loads during grid outages. Ola’s…
India’s imports of Russian crude oil saw a significant decline in December 2025, dropping about 29 per cent month-on-month, according to trade data analysed by industry sources. The reduction comes amid shifting global crude supply dynamics, inventory adjustments and strategic sourcing decisions by refiners responding to price movements, freight considerations and evolving geopolitical factors. Industry analysts noted that while Russia remains an important supplier, Indian refiners have diversified their crude intake mix, increasing purchases from the Middle East and other regions where alternative grades are more competitively priced or better suited to refining configurations. The drop in Russian crude imports also follows seasonal demand fluctuations,…
Blinkit, one of India’s leading quick-commerce platforms, has removed its popular “10-minute delivery” claim from all its apps and websites after government orders aimed at ensuring consumer protection and safety in the fast-growing instant delivery sector. The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of ultra-fast delivery guarantees, which officials and safety advocates argue may inadvertently encourage unsafe practices by delivery partners and create misleading expectations among consumers. Authorities have raised concerns that the intense focus on extremely short delivery windows can pressure riders into risky behaviour and overlook fair working conditions, prompting calls for clearer industry standards and advertising norms. Blinkit’s decision aligns with these…
Zoho Corporation, the Chennai-based global software and cloud services provider, has inaugurated its first data centres in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with facilities in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The move represents a strategic expansion of Zoho’s cloud infrastructure to better serve customers in the Middle East, reduce latency and enhance data sovereignty for regional clients. The new centres will support Zoho’s portfolio of cloud applications, including CRM, HR, finance, collaboration and productivity tools, catering to businesses of all sizes seeking local hosting and improved performance. Zoho’s data centre presence in the UAE aligns with growing demand for secure, compliant cloud services that help…
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, focusing on key aspects of the India-U.S. strategic partnership including trade negotiations, critical minerals, defence cooperation, nuclear collaboration and energy ties. Sharing details on social media, Jaishankar described the exchange as a “good conversation”, highlighting that both sides agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues as they work to strengthen cooperation across economic and security domains. The call comes amid ongoing efforts to revitalise bilateral relations after recent strains linked to trade disputes and tariffs, with negotiators on both sides aiming to push forward discussions on a comprehensive trade framework. Officials…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited leading German universities to open their campuses in India, underscoring a significant push to deepen academic cooperation between the two nations. The invitation came during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of bilateral talks aimed at strengthening strategic ties across education, mobility and skills development. As part of an Indo-German Comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education, both countries agreed to enhance institutional partnerships, expand student and research exchanges, and facilitate collaborative programmes designed to broaden opportunities for learners and educators alike. Modi highlighted that encouraging foreign universities to launch campuses in India will bring global academic…