Author: News Desk

The Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the licence of Paytm Payments Bank, dealing a major blow to one of India’s prominent fintech players. The action follows persistent compliance lapses and regulatory concerns, with the RBI concluding that the bank failed to meet necessary norms despite repeated warnings. With the licence revoked, Paytm Payments Bank will no longer be allowed to carry out core banking services, including accepting deposits and facilitating transactions. This move impacts millions of users who relied on the platform for digital payments and savings accounts. Parent company One97 Communications now faces the challenge of transitioning customers…

Veteran economist Ashok Lahiri has been appointed as the new Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, marking a significant leadership change in India’s premier policy institution. Lahiri will succeed Suman Bery, who is stepping down from the role. The Vice Chairman position effectively makes Lahiri the key operational head of the think tank, with the Prime Minister serving as its Chairperson. A former Chief Economic Adviser (2002–2007), Lahiri brings decades of experience in economic policymaking, having worked across government, global institutions, and academia. He has also served as a member of the 15th Finance Commission, director of the National Institute of…

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu sparked curiosity during the Uber Cup after being spotted wearing a small device near her forehead, known as “Temple.” The wearable is an experimental technology designed to monitor blood flow to the brain and cognitive load in real time, offering insights into neurological performance alongside physical metrics. Unlike traditional wearables such as fitness bands, Temple focuses on how the brain responds to stress, fatigue, and high-performance situations, making it particularly relevant for elite athletes. The device is part of a research initiative backed by Deepinder Goyal, aimed at studying brain health, aging, and performance. It…

Dubai-based airline Emirates is planning a major upgrade to its already luxurious first-class experience by introducing private en-suite bathrooms inside individual suites. The idea was revealed by Emirates President Tim Clark during an industry summit in Berlin, where he emphasized the airline’s push to continuously evolve its premium offerings and avoid stagnation. Currently, Emirates offers shared shower spas on its Airbus A380 aircraft, while its Boeing 777 features fully enclosed private suites, but without personal bathrooms. The proposed upgrade would mark a significant shift, giving each first-class passenger access to a fully private bathroom within their suite, bringing aviation closer…

France has officially removed the airport transit visa requirement for Indian travellers, marking a significant easing of travel rules between the two countries. The decision, which came into effect earlier this month, reflects growing cooperation and stronger bilateral relations. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the new visa-free transit facility has been implemented by the French government following commitments made during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February, where both sides agreed to simplify travel procedures. Under the revised rules, Indian citizens holding ordinary passports will no longer need an airport transit visa when passing through…

Pakistan has repaid its full $3.45 billion debt to the United Arab Emirates, following a recent demand from Abu Dhabi for the return of the funds. The repayment was confirmed by the State Bank of Pakistan, which stated that the final $1 billion deposit to the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) was returned on April 23, while $2.45 billion had already been repaid earlier in the week. The UAE had extended these deposits to Pakistan to help support its balance of payments during a period of financial strain. With this final transaction, Islamabad has now fully cleared all outstanding…

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries has made history by becoming the first Indian company to post an annual profit exceeding $10 billion (approximately ₹95,000 crore). This milestone highlights the company’s resilience and diversified strength, especially at a time when global markets remain uncertain. Strong performances in its retail and digital services segments played a decisive role in driving this achievement. Record Financial Performance For the financial year ending March 2026, Reliance Industries reported a record annual profit of ₹95,754 crore, alongside total revenues of ₹11.76 lakh crore. Despite facing headwinds in the energy sector due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia,…

South Korean industrial giant HD Hyundai is ramping up its India strategy with plans to establish a shipbuilding joint venture, signaling deeper engagement in one of the world’s fastest-growing maritime markets. The company will set up a dedicated shipbuilding firm with local partners, aiming to leverage India’s expanding demand for vessels and maritime infrastructure. This move aligns with HD Hyundai’s broader global expansion strategy, as it looks to diversify production bases and reduce dependence on domestic shipyards in South Korea. India’s push to strengthen its shipbuilding ecosystem and become a global manufacturing hub has attracted increasing interest from international players. The partnership…

India is stepping up its unmanned aerial capabilities through a new collaboration with Germany-based Aerodata AG to jointly develop the AeroForce X, a 5-tonne class UAV. The partnership involves Dynamatic Technologies’ unmanned systems division, Dynauton Systems, which will contribute engineering and manufacturing expertise, while Aerodata brings its proven Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platform. The AeroForce X is designed for long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, with an endurance of up to 40 hours and a payload capacity of around 1.3 tonnes. With a maximum take-off weight of under 5 tonnes, the UAV combines heavy payload capability with extended flight…

India is likely to hand over operational control of Chabahar Port to an Iranian entity, as it prepares for the expiry of a US sanctions waiver. The government is reportedly planning to divest the stake held by India Ports Global in the port’s development arm, allowing a local Iranian operator to take over temporarily. This move is aimed at ensuring continued operations at the strategically important port while avoiding potential sanctions risks. India has been developing Chabahar as a key trade gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan and boosting regional connectivity. However, rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over…