Author: News Desk
Conman Sukesh Chandrashekar has reportedly written to UK-based spirits giant Diageo, expressing interest in acquiring the Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) with a $1 billion all-cash offer, according to sources. In the letter to RCB’s owners and promoters, Chandrashekar, whose firm LS Holdings says it intends to complete the acquisition swiftly, described the bid as “realistic” and claimed it could be settled within 48 hours without third-party funding. He told Diageo that his offer includes ownership rights, trademarks, player contracts and league entitlements, subject to regulatory approvals and due diligence. Addressing his ongoing legal situation, Chandrashekar wrote that the charges against him are “only allegations”…
Air India Express will start a new direct international service connecting Doha and Mangaluru, improving air connectivity for passengers traveling between the Gulf region and coastal Karnataka. The Doha–Mangaluru–Doha service is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2026, and is expected to benefit expatriates, business travellers, and families with strong ties between Qatar and Mangaluru. Flights from Doha to Mangaluru will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, departing Doha at 12:30 am and arriving in Mangaluru at 7:15 am. The return service from Mangaluru to Doha will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing at 10:00 pm and arriving in…
Ola Electric announced on Friday that it will reduce approximately 5% of its workforce as part of an ongoing restructuring effort aimed at building a leaner and more efficient organization. The company said it continues to focus on business turnaround efforts, emphasizing faster service through its Hyperservice platform. Over 80% of service requests are now resolved on the same day nationwide, and the company is increasing automation across its front-end operations to improve speed and discipline. “As part of this structural transformation, around 5% of our employees will be affected,” Ola Electric stated. “Our goal remains to enhance customer experience…
Dr. Roy C.J., widely known as CJ Roy, founder and chairman of Confident Group, was found dead at his office in central Bengaluru on Friday. Police said the case appears to be a suicide, based on preliminary findings. The incident occurred at the company’s premises near Richmond Circle. Sources familiar with the investigation said Roy suffered a gunshot injury inside the office. Police have launched a detailed probe and said further information will be shared after forensic and procedural formalities are completed. Who Was CJ Roy Dr. Roy C.J. was a Keralite who grew up in Bengaluru and went on…
India is poised to finalise a multi-billion-dollar submarine deal with Germany by the end of March, after the two governments signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) intended to provide long-term support, technology transfer and export clearances for the project. Under the agreement, Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL), India’s leading shipbuilder, and Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) will collaborate to construct six next-generation conventional submarines within India, a key component of the Project 75(I) programme. The submarines are expected to feature advanced Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems that allow extended underwater endurance and increased stealth, significantly strengthening the Indian Navy’s undersea combat capabilities. By boosting domestic shipbuilding expertise and exporting potential, the deal also aligns with broader goals to…
At a grand state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu welcomed European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, chief guests during India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations, with a uniquely curated Himalayan-themed culinary experience designed to showcase India’s diverse regional heritage. Rather than a traditional pan-Indian spread, the multi-course dinner highlighted flavours and ingredients from the Himalayan belt, including jakhiya aloo, jhangora ki kheer, sunderkala thichoni (a buckwheat noodle soup from Uttarakhand), and baked yak cheese custard, each dish reimagined through contemporary fine-dining techniques while staying rooted in local traditions. The main course featured prized mountain produce such as guchhi (morel) and Solan mushrooms paired with poppy seeds and served with…
CJ Roy, Chairman of Confident Group, was found dead on Friday, January 30, at his Langford Road residence, reportedly having shot himself. Sources indicate that his death occurred during a raid by officials. Police confirmed the incident. Roy was rushed to Narayana Hospital in HSR Layout for urgent medical attention, but he was declared dead. Earlier in the day, he had reportedly visited his office on Richmond Road. Ongoing Legal Disputes Confident Projects (India) Pvt Ltd has been involved in tax litigation with the Income Tax Department. The disputes, currently before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and Karnataka High Court,…
India and Saudi Arabia held a high-level security and counter-terrorism dialogue in Riyadh on January 28, 2026, under the Political, Consular and Security Cooperation Committee of their Strategic Partnership Council. The meeting came shortly after India signed a Letter of Intent for a Strategic Defence Partnership with the United Arab Emirates earlier this month. Officials from both sides conducted a comprehensive review of ongoing security cooperation, sharing assessments on threats from terrorist groups and agreeing to strengthen collaboration in areas such as counter-terrorism, law enforcement, extremism, radicalisation, and transnational organised crime. They jointly condemned terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations,” including recent high-profile attacks in India. The dialogue was co-chaired by India’s Joint Secretary for…
India and Israel are set to deepen their rapidly expanding strategic ties, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to visit Israel in February, Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has indicated. The visit, if it occurs as expected, would come amid a shifting geopolitical landscape in West Asia and at a time of increasing convergence between the two nations on defence, technology, security, trade, and innovation. Ambassador Azar confirmed to NDTV that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally invited PM Modi, and preparations are underway to facilitate the trip at the earliest opportunity. Diplomatic sources suggest February is a…
The Adani Group is preparing to raise between $1 billion and $1.5 billion through yen-denominated borrowings from Japan over the next 12 to 18 months, leveraging one of the world’s deepest sources of long-term capital following credit ratings upgrades by the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR). JCR recently assigned ratings to three Adani companies—Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (A-, above India’s sovereign rating), Adani Green Energy (BBB+, at par with the sovereign), and Adani Energy Solutions (BBB+, at par with the sovereign). These upgrades are expected to broaden Adani’s investor base in Japan, opening access to banks, insurers, pension…