Author: News Desk

The United States has signaled that a possible route still exists for India to consider acquiring the F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter. The indication came during a high-level meeting at the Pentagon on April 9, 2026, where Mike Duffey, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, met Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during his official visit to Washington. The discussions were described as productive and reflect the steady expansion of defence cooperation between the two countries, especially in advanced military technologies. While Duffey’s remark does not amount to a formal proposal, it is seen as a diplomatic signal that…

The Union government has given in-principle clearance for a new airport in Adilabad, splitting responsibilities between the Defence Ministry and the Civil Aviation Ministry. Under the plan, Defence will handle the core airport infrastructure, while Civil Aviation will take charge of the civilian enclave and flight operations. The decision came out of a high-level meeting in New Delhi led by Rajnath Singh, with participation from K. Rammohan Naidu, G. Kishan Reddy, Adilabad MP G. Nagesh, and senior officials. After the meeting, Rammohan Naidu said a joint ground survey is scheduled for April 17. Teams from both ministries, along with state…

Vantara has announced the launch of Vantara University, a new global institution dedicated to wildlife and veterinary sciences, envisioned by Anant Ambani. The initiative is aimed at strengthening capacity building in conservation through structured education, training, and applied research. The university has been designed to bridge a major gap in the sector—the shortage of trained professionals capable of handling complex wildlife and ecosystem challenges. It will bring together academic learning, scientific research, and field-based experience under one integrated framework. The proposed academic model will combine traditional Indian knowledge systems with modern scientific methods. A strong focus will be placed on…

Daikin Industries has announced plans to invest ₹1,000 crore in India to establish a global research and development (R&D) centre, marking its first such facility outside Japan. The upcoming centre will focus on software and product development for air-conditioning systems, including advanced chillers used in data centres, as well as residential and commercial cooling solutions. The move highlights India’s growing importance in Daikin’s global strategy, with the company aiming to leverage the country’s strong engineering talent and innovation ecosystem. Daikin is expected to hire around 500 engineers for the new facility, further strengthening its presence and capabilities in India. The R&D centre is likely to be…

Disney is preparing for a new round of cost-cutting measures that could result in as many as 1,000 layoffs, according to a person familiar with the matter. The move comes shortly after Josh D’Amaro stepped into the role of CEO in mid-March. Marketing Division Most Affected The job reductions are expected to primarily impact Disney’s marketing department, which was recently consolidated under Asad Ayaz. He was appointed chief marketing and brand officer in January and now oversees marketing across Disney’s entertainment, sports, and experiences divisions under a unified structure. This change marked the first time Disney brought all marketing operations…

Thailand is once again moving closer to introducing a long-discussed tourist entry fee for foreign visitors arriving by air, marking a small but noticeable change for international travellers planning trips to destinations like Bangkok and Phuket. The proposal has been revived after being delayed multiple times in the past, with the government now signalling renewed intent to push it forward as tourism activity stabilises and returns to stronger levels. Fee Applies Only To Air Travellers Under the current plan, foreign tourists arriving in Thailand by flight would be required to pay a fee of 300 Thai baht, which is roughly…

TVS Motor Company has introduced the Armado 200, a new cargo three-wheeler designed for Indonesia’s growing commercial transport and logistics sector. Engine and Load Capacity The Armado 200 is powered by a 197.75 cc oil-cooled spark-ignition engine, built for long operating hours and heavy-duty usage. It comes with a 2-metre cargo bed and can carry up to 840 kg, making it one of the highest payload vehicles in its segment. Pricing and Market Launch The vehicle is available in Blue, Red, and White. It is priced at IDR 35.9 million, with an introductory offer of IDR 34.9 million (OTR Jakarta).…

Amid rising tensions in West Asia and growing concerns over global fuel supplies, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is set to visit Qatar on an official trip between April 9 and 10. Qatar has long been one of India’s key suppliers of natural gas. However, recent geopolitical tensions have disrupted parts of the energy supply chain, raising concerns in global markets. Disruptions in Natural Gas Supply Reports indicate that Iran recently targeted facilities linked to QatarEnergy, one of the world’s major natural gas producers. Earlier in March, operations were also affected due to a force majeure declaration, which led…

Budget airline SpiceJet has started reducing its workforce as it struggles with a shrinking fleet, rising dues, and continued salary delays. The move signals growing financial pressure and an urgent need for fresh capital, according to media reports. Staff Cuts and Operational Shrinkage Company insiders cited by The Economic Times said the airline has moved from operating around 50 aircraft to a much smaller fleet today, forcing manpower reductions. Around 20% of employees could eventually be affected. In the first phase, more than 500 staff members are expected to be placed on furlough or unpaid leave. SpiceJet currently employs about…

Ahead of his 31st birthday on April 10, Anant Ambani, executive director at Reliance Industries Limited, donated ₹10 crore to support a gaushala (cow shelter) at the Kashtabhanjan Dev Hanumanji Temple in Salangpur, Gujarat. The contribution is aimed at improving the care and welfare of cows. The gaushala is being developed within the Salangpur Dham complex, spread across 28 acres. The project is being built in collaboration with DeLaval, a global dairy and farming equipment company, and will include modern facilities capable of housing around 500 cows. The Ambani family is acting as the main patron for this initiative. To…