Author: News Desk

Smartphone manufacturers are facing an unexpected squeeze as the global semiconductor supply shifts toward AI infrastructure. With tech giants like NVIDIA, AMD, and cloud providers cornering advanced chip production for GPUs and high-performance computing, smartphone makers are struggling to secure components essential for new models. This diversion has led to delays in production schedules, higher input costs, and reduced profit margins. Industry leaders warn that the situation could worsen through 2026 as chipmakers prioritize AI-centric contracts. Meanwhile, a weaker rupee and rising import costs are forcing some handset brands to hike prices, particularly in mid-range and entry-level segments. Others are…

Denmark-based A.P. Moller – Maersk has unveiled a major strategy to deepen its presence in India, launching a plan that includes an approximate $2 billion investment targeted at its subsidiary APM Terminals’ operations in India and across the maritime value chain. Key focal points include expanding and modernising ports such as Pipavav Port in Gujarat, building ship-repair and manufacturing capabilities, exploring vessel re-flagging under the Indian registry, and strengthening logistics and warehousing to serve India’s export and manufacturing thrust. Maersk executives emphasise that India’s evolving role in global supply chains, with production shifting inwards and incentives aligning, offers “huge potential” for the…

The United States has tightened its visa approval process by introducing new medical-screening norms that allow officers to deny visas to applicants suffering from chronic illnesses. According to the new rules, conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, respiratory issues, cancers, and neurological disorders may lead to visa rejections if officials believe the applicant might depend on publicly funded healthcare during their stay. The US Department of State’s updated guidance directs consular officers to evaluate not only an applicant’s communicable disease status but also their overall health, financial capability, and potential to become a “public charge.” This includes assessing the health and financial preparedness of dependents, ensuring that…

From October 28, 2025, Indian Railways requires users to complete Aadhaar verification to book reserved train tickets online during peak morning hours. Between 8 AM and 10 AM, only Aadhaar-authenticated accounts can book tickets, a window that typically sees high demand for popular trains and aims to prevent fraudulent or multiple bookings. Outside this two-hour period, users without Aadhaar can continue booking as usual. This new rule applies specifically to the first day of ticket reservation openings. Previously, Aadhaar verification was also made mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets online, with OTP authentication required for additional security. Passengers who haven’t linked…

Researchers at IIT Madras have developed and patented a low-cost, minimally invasive device that could change how millions of Indians with diabetes monitor their blood sugar. Designed to be accurate, comfortable, and affordable, the device offers an easier alternative to traditional glucose testing methods that rely on painful finger pricks. The innovation comes from the institute’s Electronic Materials and Thin Films Lab, headed by Professor Parasuraman Swaminathan. It combines reusable electronic components and a low-power display with a disposable microneedle patch, reducing both cost and discomfort. India has more than 10 crore people living with diabetes, according to the ICMR-INDIAB…

India’s wealthiest donors contributed a record ₹10,380 crore this year, according to the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025. The list features 191 philanthropists — including 12 newcomers — and shows an 85% jump in total giving over the past three years, signaling a major cultural shift toward large-scale philanthropy. Shiv Nadar & family, founders of HCL Technologies, retained their position at the top for the fourth time in five years with donations worth ₹2,708 crore. That’s about ₹7.4 crore a day, most of it through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, which focuses on education and the arts. The top ten…

Adani Enterprises’ copper subsidiary, Kutch Copper Ltd (KCL), has entered into a key partnership in Australia, strengthening India’s efforts to secure critical minerals and feed its rapidly expanding copper operations. Caravel Minerals Ltd announced that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kutch Copper to collaborate on the Caravel Copper Project, located in Western Australia’s Murchison region. Under the agreement, the two companies will explore investment and long-term offtake arrangements to move the project toward a Final Investment Decision (FID) by 2026. The partnership combines Caravel’s large copper resource base with Adani’s expertise in smelting, processing, and…

On October 22, 2022, actor and taxpayer Aishwarya Rai Bachchan filed her income tax return for the assessment year 2022–23, declaring an income of Rs 39.33 crore. As of March 31, 2021, she held investments worth Rs 449 crore in assets generating tax-free income. Her return was later picked up for detailed scrutiny by the Income Tax Department. After reviewing her case, the assessing officer (AO) disallowed expenses related to exempt income under Section 14A of the Income-tax Act, read with Rule 8D. Bachchan argued that she had already made a voluntary (suo motu) disallowance of Rs 49 lakh, even…

India has begun tightening control over the use of satellites linked to Chinese entities, aiming to safeguard national security amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The move marks a shift from earlier years when India, facing limited satellite capacity, had allowed foreign operators—including those with Chinese ties—to support its broadcasting and communication needs. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has now rejected applications from China-based Chinasat and Hong Kong operators ApStar and AsiaSat, which sought to continue providing satellite services to Indian firms. Despite AsiaSat’s three-decade presence in India, it currently holds short-term approval only for its AS5 and…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Varanasi on November 8 to inaugurate four new Vande Bharat Express trains, marking another major step in India’s push toward modern, high-speed rail connectivity. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the new trains will link Banaras with Khajuraho, Lucknow with Saharanpur, Firozpur with Delhi, and Ernakulam with Bengaluru. The launch aims to make travel faster, more comfortable, and more accessible while boosting regional growth and tourism. The Banaras–Khajuraho route will save nearly two hours and forty minutes compared to current services, offering direct, modern connectivity to important cultural and spiritual destinations like Varanasi, Prayagraj,…