Author: News Desk

US President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on any country conducting trade with Iran, escalating pressure on Tehran in response to its violent suppression of nationwide protests that have left nearly 600 dead and resulted in thousands of arrests. The move could affect major trading partners of Iran, including India and China. “Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a 25 percent tariff on all trade with the United States. This order is final and conclusive,” Trump said on Truth Social. The announcement comes as Trump considers possible military action…

In a move aimed at strengthening India-Germany relations, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Indian nationals will no longer require a transit visa when passing through German airports. The announcement was made on Monday during Chancellor Merz’s visit to Gujarat, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a joint press conference. The new facility will simplify international travel for Indian citizens, allowing them to transit through airports such as Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich without the need for a separate Schengen transit visa. Previously, Indian travellers needed this visa even if they remained in the airport’s international transit area and…

India set new benchmarks in highway construction as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in collaboration with M/s Rajpath Infracon Private Limited, achieved four Guinness World Records while building the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor (NH-544G) in Andhra Pradesh. The achievement unfolded in two phases. On 6 January 2026, near Puttaparthi, teams set two global records in a single day: the longest continuous laying of Bituminous Concrete at 28.89 lane km in 24 hours, and the highest quantity laid continuously at 10,655 metric tonnes. Both records were achieved on a six-lane highway project, a first globally. On 11 January 2026, two…

Indian Railways is preparing to launch its first sleeper-class Vande Bharat train on the 958 km Howrah–Kamakhya (Guwahati) route. The service marks the introduction of overnight travel in the Vande Bharat fleet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the train on Saturday, January 17. The route will link major districts across West Bengal and Assam, including Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar in West Bengal, and Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam. The train will have 16 coaches: 11 three-tier AC, four two-tier AC, and one first-class AC coach, with a total seating and sleeping capacity of about 823…

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively supporting startups across India to contribute to defense research and development, according to Shri Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO. Speaking in an exclusive interview with ChannelAm, Samir outlined several initiatives aimed at fostering innovation in the defense sector. “We have established multiple mechanisms to support startups. The Technology Development Fund (TDF) provides funding to help startups advance their ideas. We also organize ‘Dare to Dream’ contests, allowing startups to propose solutions to specific defense challenges. Additionally, we have launched schemes that enable our labs to work…

Ronnie Screwvala, the celebrated film producer and entrepreneur, has crafted one of the most remarkable success stories in Bollywood, transforming early setbacks into a vast ₹13,314 crore empire. According to the Hurun India Rich List 2025, he now ranks as the richest individual in the Hindi film industry, surpassing even iconic stars and producers. Screwvala’s entry into cinema was far from smooth. His first production venture, Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein (1997), was a major box-office failure, and the next five films he backed also flopped, posing a stern test to his resolve as a filmmaker. at the time, he had no “Plan B”, drawing strength from his…

India is on the verge of achieving a major milestone in space technology by becoming the second country in the world to demonstrate on-orbit satellite refuelling, a capability currently showcased only by China. This advancement is tied to the upcoming launch of AyulSAT, a 25-kg technology demonstration satellite developed by space start-up OrbitAid Aerospace, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The mission aims to test internal propellant transfer, power distribution and data transfer using OrbitAid’s proprietary Standard Interface for Docking and Refuelling Port (SIDRP), a critical step toward establishing in-orbit servicing and refuelling capabilities that can extend the operational life of satellites. If successful, this…

A viral claim that the Indian government is forcing smartphone manufacturers to share their source code as part of new security regulations has been fact-checked and debunked by the Channeliam Fact Check, in regards to a report by PIB. The government categorically denied the report, calling it false and misleading. The controversial claim originated from a Reuters report suggesting that India was considering rules requiring companies such as Apple, Samsung, Google and Xiaomi to provide access to their proprietary source code and make other software-level changes to strengthen mobile security. However, the Channeliam Fact Check clarifies that the Government of India has not proposed any measure to force smartphone makers to share source code with authorities. The…

The Malayalam film industry has announced a token strike on January 22, 2026, during which theatres across Kerala will close and all film shoots and related activities will be suspended for the day as a protest against ongoing economic challenges facing the sector. The decision, made jointly by various industry bodies, reflects mounting frustration with the state government’s lack of progress on long-standing demands, including relief on entertainment taxes and special electricity tariffs for cinemas and film units. According to organisers, the strike is intended as a final warning before potentially more prolonged action unless meaningful government intervention is secured. The protest highlights deep financial strains in…

India generates between 150 and 500 million tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste annually, contributing to air and water pollution, heavy metal contamination, CO2 emissions, and overburdened landfills. Traditional construction waste recycling remains limited, worsening the environmental impact. Megha Rathee, co-founder of Delhi-based startup Vishwa Hara Chakra, explains that India produces around 400 million tonnes of cement and 200 billion bricks each year, which, while essential for urbanization, depletes resources and emits significant carbon. Founded in 2024, Vishwa Hara Chakra focuses on eliminating cement and creating carbon-negative, socially conscious, and technologically advanced construction solutions. Megha’s background in education and institution-building…