Author: News Desk

The board of Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, has approved the merger of its subsidiaries ACC Ltd and Orient Cement into Ambuja Cements, paving the way for a pan-India cement major. According to the company, the amalgamation is expected to drive operational efficiencies, streamline manufacturing and logistics, and improve capital allocation. These gains are likely to enhance profitability, support future capacity expansion, and strengthen long-term shareholder value. The merger will also rationalise branding, sales, and promotional expenses, helping cut costs and improve margins by at least Rs 100 per metric tonne. By removing overlapping structures, the consolidation will…

Women travellers in Kerala may soon no longer have to worry about finding clean and safe public toilets during their journeys. Addressing a long-standing concern, especially during long-distance travel, the state’s Suchitwa Mission has developed a mobile application called KLOO as part of the Malinyamukta Navakeralam initiative. The app is designed to help travellers easily locate nearby public toilets, with the initial rollout focused on major tourist routes and national highways across the state. Using Google Maps integration, users can identify the closest facilities based on their current location, making the search quick and hassle-free. Developed with technical support from…

The TVS Orbiter can be connected to a mobile app and digital cluster, giving riders access to real-time data such as battery status and odometer readings. It also provides incoming call alerts and turn-by-turn navigation, making city commuting seamless and informed. Electric Mobility Meets Practicality TVS Motor Company has expanded its electric vehicle lineup with the launch of the Orbiter in Telangana, priced at ₹1,04,600 (ex-showroom, inclusive of the PM e-Drive scheme). Designed for everyday urban rides, the scooter combines range, comfort, connected technology, and practical features, targeting India’s growing demand for sustainable commuting options. Powerful Battery and Efficient Performance…

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that Oman has agreed to export raw marble blocks to India. The move is expected to reduce reliance on Turkish marble imports and support India’s processing industry in generating more jobs. Oman had banned the export of raw marble since 2016 to encourage domestic value addition. Benefits for India’s Marble Sector “Marble blocks were previously banned from export by Oman. India is the first country for which they have lifted this restriction,” Goyal said at a press briefing. “This will help our processing industry produce finished marble tiles and flooring domestically, replacing…

Warfare in the 21st century looks very different from the era of World War I and II. Traditional ground battles have given way to stealth aircraft, drones, and networked weapons. Nations are now racing to develop sixth-generation combat systems, investing heavily in intelligent and precision-driven military technologies. India Accelerates Advanced Weapons Development India is firmly part of this transition. The government recently cleared the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project with an initial allocation of ₹15,000 crore to develop fifth- and sixth-generation capabilities. Alongside fighter jets and unmanned platforms, missile systems have emerged as a critical focus. A Missile Designed…

Elon Musk met Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the crown prince of Dubai, on Sunday at the royal majlis in Nad Al Sheba. The meeting covered topics including technology, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. Photos and Private Moments SharedSheikh Hamdan shared several photos from the meeting on social media. One shows Musk and the crown prince seated together on a private jet, while another features both accompanied by their children, suggesting Musk brought his five-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii, along. In another image, Sheikh Hamdan is seen driving a car with Musk as a passenger. Crown Prince…

Russian defence major Almaz-Antey has agreed to collaborate with an Indian partner to set up a full-fledged Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the S-400 Triumf air defence system, known in India as the Sudarshan Chakra. The facility is expected to be fully operational by 2028, ensuring long-term serviceability of India’s most advanced surface-to-air missile system. Domestic Servicing and Reduced DowntimeOnce functional, the facility will allow Indian engineers to conduct routine maintenance, complex repairs, and system overhauls in-country. Currently, key components are often sent back to Russia for servicing, causing extended downtime. Localising these capabilities will drastically reduce turnaround…

Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (Foxconn) has rapidly scaled up operations for its new iPhone assembly facility in Devanahalli, near Bengaluru, hiring nearly 30,000 employees in just eight to nine months, sources told ET. This marks the fastest factory ramp-up in India to date and underscores Apple’s push to diversify its supply chain beyond China. Women Workforce Dominates the Facility The sprawling 300-acre facility is predominantly staffed by women, who make up around 80% of the workforce. Most employees are between 19 and 24 years old and in their first jobs. Production testing began in April-May this year with…

Lionel Messi’s India tour reportedly cost ₹100 crore, with the footballer receiving ₹89 crore and ₹11 crore paid as tax to the government. Organiser Satadru Dutta told investigators that part of the funds came from sponsors, while ticket sales covered another portion, though investigators question whether the total expenditure aligns with these sources. The Kolkata event at Salt Lake Stadium descended into chaos when a large number of fans entered the ground, leaving Messi barely visible and triggering anger and vandalism among spectators. Initially, only 150 ground passes were issued, but this number was reportedly tripled after intervention from an…

Starbucks has named Anand Varadarajan as its new chief technology officer following Deb Hall Lefevre’s retirement in September. He will assume the role of CTO and executive vice president starting January 19, 2026. Varadarajan will also join Starbucks’ Executive Leadership Team and lead the Starbucks Technology organisation, reporting directly to CEO Brian Niccol. In the interim, Ningyu Chen is serving as acting CTO. Professional Background of Anand VaradarajanAnand Varadarajan, of Indian origin, spent nearly 19 years at Amazon, most recently as Vice President of Worldwide Grocery Technology and Supply Chain. During his tenure, he led technology, science, product, and marketing…