Author: News Desk

Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has announced the launch of a major investment initiative named “Big Time,” aimed at boosting the quality and accessibility of Arabic content in the realms of production, distribution, and filmmaking. Chairman of the Board of Directors of GEA, Turki Al-Sheikh, unveiled the establishment of the fund during a visit to Egypt. This initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering cultural and artistic endeavors, particularly in the realm of entertainment. The “Big Time” investment fund, with GEA as its primary contributor, will also receive sponsorship from the Ministry of Culture, in addition to collaboration with…

Amid a noticeable shift of users towards private telecom operators like Airtel and Jio, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is taking proactive measures to retain its customer base. To counter the decline in subscriber numbers, BSNL has proposed a unique plan to the government: utilizing Vodafone Idea’s 4G network for its services. Given the government’s significant shareholding in Vodafone Idea (approximately 33.1%), this collaboration is feasible. BSNL argues that leveraging Vodafone Idea’s network could accelerate the rollout of 4G services across India, particularly in areas where BSNL’s network presence is limited. The absence of 4G services is cited as a…

Apple’s much-anticipated Vision Pro headset has recently faced a wave of returns, despite its initial hype. Here’s a closer look at the reasons behind this unexpected trend: Apple Fans Return Headsets Tech analyst Mark Gurman reveals that even diehard Apple fans, who were among the first to purchase the Vision Pro, are now reconsidering their investment. Gurman notes that while returns are common, the extent of returns for the Vision Pro is notable, considering its target audience of loyal Apple customers and tech enthusiasts. Anticipating Improvement Although initial reviews for the Vision Pro were generally positive, Gurman emphasises that the…

The quintessential Valentine’s Day date of roses, dinner for two, and a box of chocolates may hit lovers’ wallets harder this year due to soaring cocoa and sugar prices. Here’s how the sweet celebration is being impacted:Cocoa prices reached unprecedented heights recently, propelled by adverse weather conditions and disease outbreaks in key producing regions like Ghana and the Ivory Coast. This supply crunch marks the third consecutive year of inadequate cocoa production, with little respite in sight, according to Sergey Chetvertakov, an expert at S&P Global. El Niño’s Influence on Sweet Commodities The El Niño weather phenomenon is exacerbating the…

The Karnataka government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tata group of companies, paving the way for investments totaling Rs 2,300 crore. This collaboration, involving Air India and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), is poised to significantly bolster the state’s aerospace ecosystem, creating 1,650 direct jobs and over 25,000 indirect employment opportunities. Under the MoU, Air India will establish Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, with an investment of Rs 1,200 crore. This initiative, beginning with airframe maintenance, will progress to include the development of wide-body and narrow-body hangars, fostering the growth of…

Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, officially launches the state’s inaugural Campus Industrial Park & Zoho R&D Labs at CE-IHRD, Kottarakara.The Minister of Finance, K.N. Balagopal, and the Minister of Higher Education and Social Justice, Dr. R. Bindu, along with Shreedhar Vempu, the CEO of Zoho and CO-founder Tony G. Thomas, Dr. V. Arun Kumar, the director of IHRD, and Anoop Ambika, CEO of KSUM, participated. Zoho’s Rural Expansion: From Tenkasi to Kottarakara Back in 2011, Zoho Corporation, a leading SaaS giant, made a pioneering move by establishing its rural office in Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, with just 10…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to kick off 14,000 projects worth over ₹10 lakh crore in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha elections through a Ground Breaking Ceremony (GBC 4.0) on Monday. The state, which holds significant influence with its 80 Lok Sabha seats, is also hosting a Global Investors Summit from February 19 to 21 at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow. The Uttar Pradesh government, in collaboration with PM Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, will conduct the Ground Breaking Ceremony (GBC) 4.0 on Monday. Earlier in the day, PM Modi, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief…

The once-thriving tech startup ecosystem in Telangana witnessed a significant setback in funding, plummeting by a staggering 78% in 2023. According to the latest Tracxn Geo Annual Report of 2023, funding nosedived from $459 million in 2022 to a mere $99.2 million last year, leaving industry analysts and stakeholders puzzled. Factors Behind the Plunge The report attributes this drastic decline in funding to a confluence of macroeconomic trends and geopolitical factors contributing to a global slowdown. Telangana, known for its vibrant tech scene, has historically been a magnet for investment, boasting a cumulative total of $2.7 billion raised by its…

India achieves a significant milestone in defense and space collaboration as Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) completes the nation’s inaugural privately manufactured military-grade satellite, poised for launch aboard a SpaceX rocket. This strategic achievement signals a substantial advancement in India’s space capabilities, granting the Indian Armed Forces enhanced surveillance capabilities through high-resolution satellite imagery. The successful assembly of this satellite underscores the evolving landscape where domestic private sector entities play a crucial role in advancing the nation’s defense technology. Engineered to deliver sub-meter resolution imagery, the satellite’s ground station operations will be centered in Bengaluru, India, ensuring robust security measures…

India’s startup ecosystem has become a global focal point, capturing the attention of investors worldwide, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). With innovative startups emerging across diverse sectors, NRIs are presented with compelling opportunities to invest in these ventures. However, navigating the landscape of Indian startups entails a careful balance of assessing potential returns against associated risks. Investing in Indian startups holds promise for NRIs due to several key factors: High Returns: Indian startups offer the potential for substantial returns over the long term. For instance, investments in companies like Flipkart, OYO, and Swiggy have yielded significant profits for early backers, showcasing the growth potential of Indian startups. Social Impact: Many Indian startups…