Author: News Desk

Every year, Delhi faces the same suffocating problem: toxic air that turns daily life hazardous. In recent days, air quality across the city and its surrounding satellite towns has hovered between “poor” and “very poor.” The situation worsened sharply after Diwali, when fireworks filled the night sky with smoke. Reports called it the worst post-Diwali air quality in four years. Once again, the city finds itself confronting a predictable yet avoidable pollution crisis. No single factor is to blame. Firecrackers, vehicular emissions, and stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh combine to create dangerous air. Winter conditions—colder temperatures and…

The Indian Navy’s INS Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik-class guided missile stealth frigate, took part in the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX-25) from October 16 to 18, concluding with a port call at Yokosuka, Japan, on October 21 for the Harbour phase, according to the Ministry of Defence. During the sea phase, INS Sahyadri conducted operations alongside the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels Asahi, Oumi, and the submarine Jinryu, focusing on advanced anti-submarine warfare and missile defence drills. The exercises also included flight operations and underway replenishment, enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the two navies. The Ministry noted that JAIMEX-25 reflects the strong navy-to-navy ties underpinning the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership,…

Kerala is set to build its first underwater tunnel, linking Vypin and Fort Kochi, as part of the state’s coastal highway initiative. The 3 km tunnel will run beneath the sea, cutting the existing 16 km road distance. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 2,672 crore, which includes Rs 1,225 crore for twin-tube tunnels and Rs 500 crore for land acquisition. Once completed, the tunnel is expected to save passengers up to Rs 1,500 per month and reduce travel time by nearly two hours. The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) has been asked by the state government…

US-based Starlink is planning to establish nine gateway earth stations across India, including locations in Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Kolkata, and Lucknow, as it prepares the infrastructure ahead of the commercial rollout of its satellite communication services in the country, according to sources familiar with the matter. The company has applied for 600 gigabit-per-second capacity over India through its Gen 1 satellite constellation, with the spectrum provisionally assigned for demonstrating security compliance. So far, Starlink has permission to import 100 terminals, limited to testing fixed satellite services. Queries sent to SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, went unanswered at the time of reporting. To ensure safe operations, stringent security conditions have…

Mehli Mistry, a close confidant of the late Ratan Tata, is set to be considered for reappointment as a trustee of Tata Trusts, potentially securing a lifetime tenure. The proposal, circulated by the CEO of Tata Trusts on October 23, recommends Mistry’s continuation on three key philanthropic bodies: the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, and the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution. Tata Trusts declined to comment on the development. Mistry first joined Tata Trusts in 2022, and his current three-year term is set to end on October 28. Earlier this week, the Trusts unanimously…

Bonny Thomas, a 31-year-old Kerala native living in Dubai, won a 250-gram 24K gold bar in Big Ticket’s weekly e-draw. The coordinating officer was stunned when he received a call from Big Ticket host Richard, announcing his win with ticket number 001009. At first, Bonny thought it was a prank. “Yes, I bought a ticket… you want to surprise me?” he asked. Once he recognized Richard’s voice, disbelief turned to pure joy. “Oh my God… is it true?” he exclaimed repeatedly on air. Bonny has lived in Dubai with his family since 2017. He discovered Big Ticket on social media five years…

Kerala-based deep-tech startup Neiox Eco Cycle has secured a Rs 75 lakh prototyping grant from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under the USHUS Maritime Innovation Scheme. The grant will fuel the development of what could become a global first — a sustainable, non-toxic, carbon-negative marine hull coating. The cheque was handed over at a ceremony held at IIM Kozhikode, where an official agreement was also signed. The event was attended by Dr. Ashutosh Sarkar, Executive Director of IIM Kozhikode; K.R. Anjana, CSL’s Chief General Manager (Design); Krishna Prasad S., Senior Manager, CSL; and Lijo P. Jose, Senior General Manager, LIVE IIM Kozhikode. The innovative coating developed by Neiox is designed to be anti-corrosive and anti-biofouling,…

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its Payments Systems Report for the half-year ending June 2025, highlighting trends across digital and traditional payment systems. Digital Payments Dominate In H1 2025, total payment transactions reached 12,549 crore, valued at ₹1,572 lakh crore, with digital payments accounting for nearly all growth. Over the last decade, digital transactions in India have grown 38 times by volume and more than three times by value. By CY 2024, digital payments comprised 99.7% of transaction volume and 97.5% of value, rising further to 99.8% and 97.7% respectively in H1 2025. UPI Surges in Popularity The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become India’s most widely used fast payment system. UPI is mainly used for small-value…

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has handed over ‘Mahe’, the first in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), to the Indian Navy. At 78 meters long, Mahe is the largest Indian Naval warship powered by a Diesel Engine–Waterjet combination, a major step in India’s indigenous naval design and construction. Built for underwater surveillance, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime operations, the vessel is also equipped for anti-submarine warfare and advanced mine-laying in coastal waters. According to CSL, the induction of these ASW SWCs will significantly strengthen the Navy’s shallow-water anti-submarine capabilities. The vessel has been designed and built in line with the Classification Rules of Det Norske…

Ed-tech startup Physics Wallah, founded by popular educator Alakh Pandey, has launched its new product, the AI Box, an affordable hardware device that transforms any TV or projector into a full-scale learning system in Hindi. Plugged into a screen, the AI Box provides ready-to-use lessons, quizzes and note-taking functionalities tailored for competitive exams like IIT-JEE, NEET, law and board exams, making it ideal for students who lack access to smartphones or reliable Internet connections. The goal is to reach smaller towns, villages and underserved classrooms where tech-barriers limit educational access. According to the company, the device supports YouTube and other apps, enabling a…