Author: News Desk
John Furner, chief executive of Walmart, met Narendra Modi during his first official visit to India and reaffirmed the retail giant’s commitment to expanding its operations in the country. According to Walmart, the discussions focused on India’s strong economic growth, its increasing export potential, and the scope for attracting greater foreign investment. The meeting formed part of Furner’s three-day maiden visit to India, where he engaged with government leaders and business stakeholders. Walmart entered India in 2018 through its acquisition of Flipkart and has since significantly expanded its presence in e-commerce, digital payments, and supply-chain services. The company views India…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a small cluster of hantavirus infections linked to passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, while stressing that the overall public health risk remains low and very different from COVID-19. Limited Cases Reported on Cruise Ship According to WHO, eight cases of hantavirus have been detected so far, including three deaths. Three cases have been confirmed through laboratory testing. The infections were identified after passengers from the cruise began reporting illness, prompting global contact tracing efforts. Countries are now tracking passengers who disembarked from the ship during its stop at St Helena on…
Royal Enfield is preparing one of its most ambitious product expansions in recent years, with a strong pipeline of new motorcycles and upgrades planned for FY2027. The company is expected to introduce five new models during the financial year, including the Bullet 650, Himalayan 440, Continental GT750, Himalayan 750, and Scram 450. Alongside these launches, 13 existing motorcycles will also receive updates as part of a wider refresh strategy. Strategy to Strengthen Mid-Size Segment Position The upcoming upgrades are aimed at reinforcing Royal Enfield’s position in the highly competitive midsize motorcycle segment. The brand is facing increasing pressure from rivals…
The Indian government is preparing to launch a large-scale tender for the production of green hydrogen-based methanol, targeting a total capacity of 500,000 tonnes per year, according to a draft request for selection released on Wednesday. The initiative is aimed at accelerating India’s clean fuel transition by building a domestic supply chain for green methanol, a key alternative fuel for industrial and shipping applications. Bid Structure and Contract Details Under the proposed framework, green methanol producers in India will be invited to bid for long-term contracts lasting 10 years. Individual project allocations are expected to range between 50,000 and 250,000…
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a detailed eight-page advisory to all 10 IPL franchises, tightening operational and behavioural guidelines after several reported breaches of protocol during the ongoing season. The communication, sent by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia to franchise CEOs, reinforces expectations around discipline, professionalism, security awareness and compliance. Action After Reported Misconduct According to the advisory, the decision follows incidents flagged by the Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU). The BCCI noted that some violations, if left unchecked, could damage the reputation of the IPL, franchises, and the board itself, while also exposing…
Indian Railways is planning to make artificial intelligence-based cameras a mandatory requirement in all future train surveillance systems. The move comes as the railways puts new procurement orders on hold while revised technical guidelines are being finalised. Officials said that ongoing supply contracts will continue without interruption, but fresh purchases will only resume after updated specifications are issued. The review is being carried out in response to rapid advancements in AI technology since the existing framework was introduced. Existing System Under Review The current surveillance standards were first defined by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation in March 2018 for…
State-owned Cochin Shipyard Ltd has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Udupi Cochin Shipyard Ltd (Udupi-CSL), has secured an order from Ocean Sparkle, part of the Adani Group, for the construction of four advanced ASD tugs. Order Details and Value The contract involves the construction of four Azimuthing Stern Drive (ASD) tugs with a bollard pull capacity of 70 tonnes. The company has classified the deal as a “notable order,” indicating a value in the range of ₹100 crore to ₹250 crore. These vessels will be built in accordance with the Approved Standard Tug Design and Specifications issued by the…
Japanese automaker Toyota Motor is preparing a significant expansion in India, with plans to set up three new vehicle assembly plants in Maharashtra, according to a report by Japan’s Nikkei newspaper. The proposed investment is estimated at around 300 billion yen, or roughly $1.91 billion, and is expected to substantially increase the company’s manufacturing footprint in the country. Production Capacity Set to Triple With the addition of the new facilities, Toyota’s production capacity in India is projected to rise to one million vehicles annually by the 2030s. This marks a major scale-up for the company, which is increasingly focusing on…
Mahendra Singh Dhoni emerged as the highest individual taxpayer across Bihar and Jharkhand during the financial year 2025–26, according to senior Income Tax Department officials. The update came alongside the announcement that the combined tax collection from the two states stood at around ₹20,000 crore. Officials confirmed that while the total figure reflects strong overall compliance, Dhoni continues to stand out as the leading individual contributor in the region. However, the exact amount of tax paid by the former India captain was not disclosed. Strong Regional Tax Performance Driven by Jharkhand Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Bihar-Jharkhand) D. Sudhakara…
The Supreme Court on Thursday appointed former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud as mediator in the ongoing inheritance dispute involving the family of late businessman Sanjay Kapur. The move came after all parties expressed willingness to attempt an amicable settlement in the long-running family conflict. A Bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan also cautioned the family members against making public comments or sharing posts on social media about the dispute. The court observed that such a private matter should not be turned into public discussion or “entertainment for others,” stressing that it must remain within the family.…