Author: News Desk

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted raids at multiple locations across Kerala, including the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, as part of its investigation into the CMRL-linked money laundering case. Officials said the searches were connected to alleged financial transactions involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a company linked to Vijayan’s daughter T Veena. The ED is probing allegations that payments worth around ₹1.72 crore were made to the firm without corresponding services being provided. Search operations reportedly covered around 10 to 12 premises, including residences linked to Vijayan, his son-in-law and…

Indian-origin investor Antonio Gracias is once again in the spotlight as reports suggest that a future IPO of SpaceX could generate enormous returns for some of the company’s earliest backers. Gracias was among the investors who supported SpaceX during the 2008 financial crisis, when the company was facing severe financial pressure after multiple failed rocket launches and funding uncertainty. During that period, Elon Musk reportedly struggled to keep both SpaceX and Tesla financially alive as the global financial crisis reduced investor appetite for risky technology ventures. Early investors and strategic supporters played a major role in helping the company survive…

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India and Canada are working to finalise negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of this year, as both countries move to reset ties and expand economic cooperation. Speaking during his visit to Ottawa, he said India and Canada are also aiming to significantly boost bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030, up from current levels, following renewed political engagement. Goyal noted that recent high-level exchanges, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India, have helped rebuild trust and set a new direction for the partnership. He…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the rapid rise of self-employment and entrepreneurship in India, saying the country has become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem with over 230,000 recognised startups. Speaking at the 19th Rozgar Mela, he said this transformation is no longer limited to big cities, with strong participation coming from youth in tier-2 and smaller cities, along with a growing role of women. He said India is witnessing a shift where young people are increasingly choosing entrepreneurship and innovation, contributing to the country’s development across sectors. He added that this same energy should be reflected in public service, noting…

Sri Lanka’s export landscape has seen a shift, with India overtaking the United Kingdom to become its second-largest export destination during January–April this year, according to the Export Development Board. The United States continues to remain Sri Lanka’s top export market, maintaining its lead despite mixed performance trends across sectors. India’s export earnings rose 8.9% year-on-year to USD 364.15 million in the January–April 2026 period, even though April alone saw a slight 1.41% dip compared to the previous year. This growth helped India surpass the UK in overall ranking. Sri Lanka’s total exports, including goods and services, stood at USD…

Adani Green Energy Limited has commissioned a cumulative 3.37 Gigawatt-hour (GWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Khavda in Gujarat, marking the world’s largest single-location battery storage deployment outside China and one of the fastest completed utility-scale projects globally. The latest phase includes 1.37 GWh of additional storage capacity commissioned in March 2026, taking the company’s total operational battery storage capacity at the Khavda site to 3.37 GWh. The project was completed within just 10 months from the start of on-site construction. The large-scale storage system is expected to play a key role in improving grid stability, ensuring reliable peak-hour…

India and Oman have expanded their defence cooperation through a joint training programme conducted by Indian Mobile Training Teams for personnel of the Sultan’s Armed Forces. The exercise, led by officers from Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff along with the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, focused on improving operational coordination and joint logistics preparedness. Around 110 officers from the Royal Army, Navy and Air Force of Oman, along with defence officials, took part in the training. Officials said the programme is designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen military coordination between the two countries at a time of heightened security challenges…

Toyota Motor’s Indian arm is set to invest about ₹1,200 crore over five years to establish a global BizIntel Hub at KWIN City, a flagship township being developed between Dabaspete and Doddaballapura in Karnataka. A memorandum of understanding was signed in Bengaluru between Toyota Kirloskar Motor and the state government in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Industries Minister M. B. Patil. The proposed hub will span around 300 acres and is expected to combine vehicle manufacturing and testing facilities, while also creating nearly 200 jobs. Officials said this marks the first major investment announcement for KWIN City. The…

State-owned telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has reported a significant financial turnaround, with revenue rising nearly 19% to around ₹25,000 crore over the past two years. According to government officials, the growth has been driven by infrastructure upgrades, operational reforms, and expanding telecom coverage across the country. Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said BSNL’s EBITDA surged dramatically from around ₹50 crore to nearly ₹7,000 crore during the same period, reflecting stronger operational efficiency and improved financial performance. Officials attribute the turnaround to systematic monitoring, network modernization, and improved service reliability. One of BSNL’s biggest competitive…

Indian private space startup Agnikul Cosmos is moving closer to commercial rocket launch operations after successfully completing a major propulsion milestone involving clustered semi-cryogenic rocket engines. The company recently test-fired four 3D-printed Agnilet rocket engines simultaneously, marking a major step toward qualifying its modular Agnibaan launch vehicle for future commercial missions. The achievement is considered significant because clustered engine firing is a critical capability required for orbital rocket launches. Agnikul’s modular rocket design allows different engine configurations depending on payload requirements, potentially helping reduce launch costs and improve flexibility for small satellite missions. Founded by IIT Madras alumni, Agnikul has…