Author: News Desk

Saudi Aramco is set to acquire a 20% stake in a new refinery that India’s state-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) plans to build, according to Business Standard. The total investment for the project is estimated at around $11 billion. The refinery is planned at Ramayapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh, on India’s east coast, and will have a processing capacity of 180,000 to 240,000 barrels per day (bpd). BPCL, India’s second-largest state refiner with 706,000 bpd of crude processing capacity, aims to sell a 30–40% equity stake to outside investors. Of this, Saudi Aramco is expected to take 20%, Oil…

Adani Group is urging the central government to expand international flying rights, saying greater access is vital to increase passenger traffic at the eight airports it operates. The company is investing billions of dollars in new terminals, runways, and passenger facilities across these airports. According to reports, this push puts Adani at odds with India’s two largest airlines, Air India and IndiGo, which have cautioned the government to move carefully on opening air traffic rights to foreign carriers. Air India has warned that rapid liberalisation could expose Indian airlines to what it calls “unfair competition” from well-funded West Asian carriers.…

Vande Bharat sleeper train is set to launch soon, marking a major upgrade in long-distance rail travel. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of its speed trial, where the train reached its maximum design speed of 180 kmph on the Kota–Nagda section. Key highlights of the trial include: The Vande Bharat sleeper is the overnight, fully air-conditioned version of the existing Vande Bharat chair car, designed for long-distance journeys. Manufacturing and expansion details include: Each prototype train has 16 coaches: coach composition: The sleeper coaches are designed for comfort and convenience. Passenger features include: Passenger amenities also include safety and convenience features: Toilets and…

The 2026 Toyota Century emerges as a standout in the ultra-luxury SUV segment, combining elegant comfort, advanced hybrid performance and state-of-the-art technology in one flagship package. Designed for discerning buyers seeking prestige without ostentation, the Century blends Toyota’s traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation to deliver an elevated driving and passenger experience. At the heart of the 2026 Century is a hybrid powertrain engineered to deliver smooth acceleration, strong torque and improved fuel efficiency, striking a balance between performance and environmental responsibility. Advanced suspension tuning ensures a quiet, refined ride whether in city streets or on long highways. Inside, the SUV offers premium leather seating, adjustable massaging seats,…

Indian Railways wrapped up 2025 as a transformative year, characterised by significant network upgrades, technological innovation and strategic shifts toward sustainability and passenger convenience. A key highlight was the expansion of Vande Bharat Express services across multiple routes, offering faster intercity connectivity and enhanced onboard amenities. These semi‑high‑speed trains further solidified their role as a cornerstone of India’s modern passenger rail services. Sustainability efforts gained momentum with hydrogen fuel trials on select routes, positioning Indian Railways at the forefront of alternative energy experimentation among global rail operators. This initiative underscored the sector’s commitment to cleaner, greener operations alongside broader electrification of the rail network. Infrastructure modernisation extended to station redevelopment projects,…

Bharat Forge Limited on Tuesday said it has received a ₹1,661.9 crore contract from the Ministry of Defence for the supply of 255,128 Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines to the Indian Army. The order will be executed over a period of five years. The contract marks a significant boost for indigenous defence manufacturing and aligns with the government’s push for self-reliance in military equipment. Indigenous Weapon Developed Under Atmanirbhar Bharat The 5.56×45 mm CQB Carbine has been indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured under the IDDM category. The compact firearm was jointly developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE)…

As 2025 draws to a close, the India Women’s Cricket team is in the midst of a five-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka. After commanding victories in the first two games in Vizag, the Women in Blue have taken a 2-0 lead. With three matches still to be played in Kerala, the team is expected to continue their dominance and cap off the year on a high note. A Landmark Year for India Women’s Cricket Regardless of how the T20I series concludes, 2025 has already become historic for India Women’s cricket. The year was marked by growth, consistency, and…

Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday introduced a draft artificial intelligence (AI) manifesto for Reliance Industries, outlining the company’s ambition to become an AI-native deep-tech enterprise. The initiative aims to boost productivity tenfold across Reliance’s workforce of over 600,000 employees and create a 10x impact on India’s economy and society. Ambani on Artificial Intelligence Describing AI as “the most consequential technological development in human history,” Ambani said Reliance plans to lead India’s AI adoption much as it spearheaded the nation’s digital transformation over the past decade. The goal is to deliver “Affordable AI for every Indian,” embedding AI across all Reliance businesses…

Raihan Vadra, son of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and businessman Robert Vadra, is now engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Aviva Baig, according to NDTV. The couple, who have been dating for seven years, exchanged rings with the approval of both families. The engagement is set to be celebrated with a larger ceremony at Ranthambore in Rajasthan on Wednesday, December 31. The wedding is expected to take place in the coming months. Both families are reportedly close, with Aviva and her family based in Delhi. About Aviva Baig Aviva Baig, 25, is a Delhi-based photographer whose work, according to her…

Wayanad-based deep-tech start-up NeuBiom Labs has unveiled Canopy, a “Coffee Crop Intelligence” platform designed to give coffee growers and industry stakeholders detailed, plot-level insights into crop health and productivity. The launch took place during the centenary celebrations of the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) in Bengaluru, with the platform jointly released by M J Dinesh, Chairman of the Coffee Board, and Kurma Rao M, CEO & Secretary of the Coffee Board. Canopy leverages satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, and hyperlocal data to digitize the coffee value chain and enhance climate resilience. By creating a “digital twin” of each plantation, the platform allows…