Author: News Desk

In a significant move towards greener rail transport, Indian Railways has commissioned the nation’s first LNG-Diesel dual-fuel DEMU train at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. The 1,400 HP train’s driving power cars have been modified to use Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) alongside diesel, reducing diesel consumption by roughly 40%. Successful Trials and Passenger Service According to Ved Prakash, Divisional Railway Manager of Ahmedabad, the dual-fuel power cars have completed over 2,000 km of field trials and are now in regular passenger operation without any technical issues. Environmental and Economic Benefits The dual-fuel system is expected to deliver major environmental and economic advantages, including significant cuts in carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, and improved air…

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) announced on Tuesday that its wholly owned subsidiary, Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited (RSBVL), has acquired a 50.1% equity stake in Sikhya Entertainment Private Limited for ₹150 crore. The transaction, completed on February 2, 2026, involved both primary and secondary share transfers. The acquisition is aimed at strengthening Jio Studios’ position in India’s rapidly expanding media and entertainment sector. Partnership to Bolster Content and Global Reach The deal will enable Jio Studios, RIL’s media and content arm, to consolidate its presence by joining forces with one of India’s most acclaimed production houses. Sikhya Entertainment is notable for being…

US President Donald Trump has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great friend,” a sentiment reflected in the recent India-US trade agreement. After nearly a year of negotiations, the deal has been finalized, lowering US tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. This positions India ahead of key regional competitors like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Vietnam in terms of access to the US market. China’s tariffs remain at 34%, Indonesia faces 19%, and both Bangladesh and Vietnam are at 20%. Even Pakistan’s rate is higher at 19%, despite recent diplomatic gestures and engagement with Washington. The lower US…

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is set to become the first airport in India to operate hydrogen-powered buses for passenger transport. This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Kerala Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (K-HVIC) Foundation. The agreement, formalized at Kochi Airport’s 0484 Aero Lounge, was witnessed by Kerala’s electricity minister K. Krishnankutty and industries minister P. Rajeev, marking a practical step toward implementing hydrogen mobility in aviation. Three Hydrogen Buses to Be Deployed Under the MoA, CIAL will procure and operate three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses as part of the Kerala Hydrogen Valley initiative…

U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor confirmed that President Donald Trump recently spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While details of the conversation were not disclosed, the call comes amid efforts by both countries to finalise a bilateral trade agreement. Reduced U.S. Tariffs on Indian Goods President Trump announced that the United States has agreed to lower reciprocal tariffs on Indian products from 25 percent to 18 percent. The decision takes effect immediately and follows a direct request from Prime Minister Modi, according to Trump’s social media post. India’s Commitments Under the Deal Trump stated that India has agreed to:…

Ria Mary Roy serves as Executive Director at the Confident Group, overseeing residential projects including apartments, villas, and flats across Kerala, Bengaluru, and Dubai. Her career began with internships and apprenticeships, gradually taking a leadership role in the company’s UAE operations. Ria completed her BSc in Management and Marketing with a specialization in Entrepreneurship from the University of Exeter in the UK. She attended high school at Dubai American Academy under GEMS Education. Alongside her corporate role, she has been active in student and social entrepreneurship initiatives, serving as Marketing Head at Enactus Exeter and as Marketing and Promotions Secretary…

Santhosh Babu highlighted Kerala’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure into public governance, emphasizing ethical usage, robust frameworks, and democratization of technology for all citizens. Santhosh noted that while AI tools like ChatGPT are widely used for personal purposes, deploying algorithms in public service delivery requires careful planning. Biases in AI systems could impact beneficiary selection and governance outcomes. He stressed that smart training of algorithms is essential to ensure nuanced and accurate responses, noting the principle “garbage in, garbage out.” Kerala has already begun applying this approach through initiatives like KSmart. KSmart has revolutionized service delivery in…

Anoop Ambika, CEO of the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence while cautioning that effective implementation requires real-world testing with teachers, students, and citizens to identify challenges and opportunities. He noted that summits like these are crucial for bringing together experts from across India and the world to share insights and inform policy-making in AI governance. Anoop highlighted Kerala’s early efforts in AI for public service delivery. Through targeted initiatives under KSUM, the state has been able to focus on practical applications of AI rather than general usage. Departments across Kerala were engaged in exercises…

For generations of Indians, a cup of hot tea has always been paired with a pack of Parle-G biscuits. Dunked, shared, and often finished in one sitting, the biscuits have been more than a snack — they are part of daily routines, childhood memories, and family traditions. Now, the iconic Parle-G factory in Vile Parle East, Mumbai, is set to be redeveloped, marking the end of an era. The Maharashtra State Environment Impact Assessment Authority recently approved the transformation of the 13.54-acre site into a commercial complex, allowing demolition of 21 old structures. Biscuit production at the facility had already…

Oracle is reportedly preparing to lay off between 20,000 and 30,000 employees as part of a strategy to finance its AI data centre expansion, according to a report by CIO citing investment bank TD Cowen. The move comes amid rising concerns over financing the company’s multi-billion-dollar cloud and AI ambitions. The planned job cuts would generate an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion in free cash flow, helping Oracle address questions from both equity and debt investors about its ability to fund the data centre buildout. TD Cowen estimates that Oracle requires roughly $156 billion in capital expenditure to support…