Author: News Desk

India and Russia have activated a new defence cooperation framework after the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support Agreement (RELOS), signed in February 2025, came into force. The agreement allows both countries to deploy up to 3,000 troops, along with a limited number of warships and military aircraft, in each other’s territories. RELOS is designed to deepen defence ties by enabling mutual access to military bases, airfields, ports, and airspace. This access will support joint military exercises, training programmes, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations. The agreement, which was ratified by Russia’s State Duma in December 2025 and came into effect…

Bengaluru-based LightFury Games has raised $11 million (₹103 crore) in a funding round backed by top investors and Indian cricket stars. The round saw participation from prominent cricketers including MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya, along with players like Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja. The startup is building a high-budget AAA cricket game titled “eCricket”, aimed at delivering a global, real-time multiplayer experience. Interestingly, these cricketers will not just be investors, they are expected to appear as playable characters in the game, adding authenticity and fan appeal. Founded in 2024, LightFury is positioning itself as a global gaming studio, using advanced technologies like…

With the support of the Kerala Startup Mission and in collaboration with KTX Global, TiE Kerala is organizing a high-impact session titled “The $3 Trillion ‘Unsexy Opportunity’: Scaling Deep Tech from Kerala to the Global Stage” on April 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the Kerala Startup Mission campus in Kalamassery. The session will feature Skillveri Founder and CEO Sabarinath C Nair as the keynote speaker. He will share insights from his experience in building deep-tech ventures, including challenges in technology and markets, and strategies for scaling startups from Kerala to global platforms. The discussion will be moderated by Rajesh…

India’s outbound student numbers have grown sharply, rising from 6.8 lakh in 2016 to 13.35 lakh in 2024, even with the temporary slowdown during the pandemic. A state-wise breakdown by NITI Aayog highlights clear regional patterns, preferences, and socio-economic drivers behind students choosing to study abroad. The most popular destinations continue to be the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia, with the UK and Canada seeing especially strong growth in Indian enrolments in recent years. On the domestic front, states like Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra consistently lead in sending students overseas. Data from the Ministry of External Affairs…

Hilton has partnered with Olive Hospitality to launch its first 10 Spark by Hilton hotels in India, marking a major expansion into the country’s mid-market segment. The move is part of a larger 2024 agreement to develop 150 Spark-branded hotels nationwide, signalling Hilton’s long-term growth strategy in India. The upcoming hotels will be spread across key cities including Bengaluru, Goa, Jaipur, Pune, Hyderabad, Nashik, Mathura, and Rajkot, targeting both business and leisure travellers. The expansion reflects Hilton’s focus on non-metro and high-growth cities, where rising travel demand, infrastructure development, and commercial activity are driving the need for reliable, branded accommodation. The Spark by…

The upcoming sleeper version of the Vande Bharat Express is set to redefine overnight train travel in India with its premium interiors and advanced features. One of the standout highlights is the smart glass panel doors in first-class AC cabins, which can switch between transparent and opaque modes, offering both visibility and privacy at the push of a button. The cabins are designed with enhanced privacy features, including a viewing panel and secure locking systems, giving passengers a more personalised travel experience. Comfort has been significantly upgraded with wider, cushioned berths and ergonomic design, ensuring better sleep quality even at higher speeds. Passengers will…

The Apple iPhone has become more affordable in India over the years, despite its premium positioning. Under Tim Cook, Apple has largely kept iPhone prices stable, even during periods of global inflation and rising component costs. For instance, while the iPhone 7 launched at ₹60,000 in 2016, its inflation-adjusted cost today would be around ₹94,000. In comparison, newer models are priced lower than that benchmark, making them relatively more affordable. Another key factor is local manufacturing in India, which has helped Apple reduce import duties and maintain competitive pricing. Apple has also adopted a strategy of continuing sales of older iPhone models at…

Indian Railways has approved a Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Mumbai and Bengaluru, marking a major step in upgrading long-distance rail travel in India. The new service will provide a premium overnight travel option, combining speed with comfort, similar to the existing Vande Bharat trains but designed for longer journeys. The train is expected to cut travel time significantly, potentially reducing the journey to around 13–16 hours compared to over 20 hours currently. It will feature 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, including AC 1-tier, 2-tier, and 3-tier classes, with modern amenities like ergonomic berths, automatic doors, CCTV, and advanced safety systems. The route is likely to…

Kerala’s Guruvayur is likely to get a multi-speciality veterinary hospital, aimed at improving care for elephants and cattle. A high-level expert team from Vantara visited Punnathur Kotta to evaluate the feasibility of setting up a state-of-the-art animal healthcare facility. The proposed hospital will function under the Guruvayur Devaswom Board, which manages the famous Guruvayur Temple and its elephant sanctuary. During the visit, experts assessed existing infrastructure and explored the scope for advanced veterinary services, especially for temple elephants housed at Punnathur Kotta. The Vantara team also examined elephants on-site and shared clinical recommendations and modern treatment protocols to improve animal care. Punnathur Kotta, one…

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said India should aim to achieve 100% ethanol blending in the near future, especially amid ongoing disruptions in global oil supply. He highlighted that the West Asia crisis has exposed India’s vulnerability to crude oil imports, making energy self-reliance a national priority. Currently, India has already rolled out E20 fuel (20% ethanol blending) nationwide and is exploring higher blends like E85 and E100. Gadkari emphasized that ethanol, being a domestically produced biofuel, can significantly reduce fuel import bills, lower emissions, and support farmers through increased demand for crops like sugarcane. The government is also pushing flex-fuel vehicles that can run on higher ethanol blends, paving the…