Author: News Desk

Two young entrepreneurs from Kerala, Vipin K V and Vignesh Murugan, founders of Autogenbot incubated at Kerala Startup Mission’s Maker Village in Kochi, have been selected to showcase their agricultural robot, Automist 500X, at the GOFAR 2025 Forum in the United States. GOFAR, organized by FIRA USA, is one of the world’s leading platforms for farm robotics and automation. Automist 500X: Precision Farming Innovation Developed over two years with funding from the founders and government grants, the Automist 500X is designed to transform orchard farming. By automating precision spraying, the robot helps farmers cut 50–60% of input costs, including pesticides…

Just three kilometers from Nagercoil, along the Nagercoil–Thiruvananthapuram road, lies Chunkankadai—a village of green fields, still ponds, and steady hands. Here, pottery isn’t merely work; it is memory shaped into form. The craft begins in water. Potters draw a dense clay known locally as kalimannu from the beds of village ponds. Not all clay is the same, they’ll tell you; each pond has its temperament. Knowing where to dig—and for which kind of pot—is knowledge gained over decades, learned more by touch than by book. The clay is sun-dried, sifted free of stones and roots, and mounded for later use.…

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has imposed a ₹1 crore fine on contractor Strabag following surface damage on the Navi Mumbai‑bound stretch of the newly opened Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link), between km 14 and km 16. Cause and AccountabilityWhile heavy monsoon rainfall and continuous traffic contributed to the issue, MMRDA held Strabag responsible for the damage. Temporary repairs using bitumen and mastic asphalt must be completed within five days, with a full resurfacing using dense bituminous macadam and asphalt concrete scheduled after the monsoon season. Extended Defect LiabilityTo ensure long-term quality, the defect liability period for…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially open the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) at Ballard Pier on 20 September 2025, marking a major milestone for India’s maritime and tourism sector. Spanning 415,000 sq. ft., the terminal is designed to accommodate one million passengers annually and berth up to five cruise ships at a time. State-of-the-Art Facilities for Passengers The terminal is equipped with 72 check-in and immigration counters, advanced passenger amenities, and efficient connectivity systems, ensuring smooth and comfortable cruise travel. As a key project under the Cruise Bharat Mission, MICT aims to place India prominently on the global cruise…

Apple’s iPhone 17 series has recorded a strong surge in pre-orders in India, outperforming the initial demand for the iPhone 16. Analysts estimate this momentum will help Apple ship over 5 million iPhones in the July–September 2025 quarter. The iPhone 17 series is expected to account for 15–20% of total shipments despite older models remaining popular. iPhone 17 Series DetailsLaunched on September 19, 2025, the series includes the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Prices start at ₹82,900 for the iPhone 17, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is priced at ₹1,49,900. Apple is…

At long last, the wait is over for Kerala’s football lovers: Argentina’s national team, captained by Lionel Messi, will be playing a friendly match in the state in November 2025. The match will be held during the FIFA International Window between 10‑18 November. The venue is likely to be Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor, Kochi, a FIFA‑standard stadium with a 40,000‑seat capacity and home to Kerala Blasters. This decision comes after earlier consideration of Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield Stadium. While the opponent has not yet been announced, the buzz is immense, fans are eagerly anticipating seeing Messi play on Indian soil once more. The state…

Emaar Properties has clarified that it is not selling any stake in its India business and will instead look at joint ventures with large domestic groups, including Adani. The Dubai developer, which entered India in 2005 through a ₹8,500 crore partnership with MGF Development, has since built a portfolio of residential and commercial projects across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Mohali, Lucknow, Indore, and Jaipur. Following its 2016 demerger with MGF, Emaar India operates independently in the country. The decision to pursue partnerships rather than a stake sale signals Emaar’s intent to expand in India while retaining ownership. Among the potential partners is…

BSNL & India Post Join Hands to Boost Rural Connectivity In a significant step toward bridging India’s digital divide, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Posts (DoP). The landmark agreement empowers over 1.65 lakh post offices nationwide — including those in the most remote and underserved regions — to distribute BSNL SIM cards and provide mobile recharge services. The partnership leverages India Post’s unparalleled rural footprint to extend telecom access where private networks are often limited. By combining BSNL’s state-run telecom expertise with India Post’s trusted distribution network, the initiative…

At 75, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vibrant health and unrelenting focus are a testament to his deeply disciplined lifestyle. At its core, his regimen is a unique blend of ancient wisdom and modern practicality, with his diet at the very center of his wellness philosophy. A key part of his routine are his fasting rituals. During Chaturmas, he often eats just once a day, a practice he maintains from mid-June to November. On sacred occasions like Navratri, he detoxifies his body by abstaining from all solid food, consuming only hot water. He says this practice is crucial for cleansing and maintaining mental clarity.…

India & Venezuela Launch Pilot Projects: A New Era of South-South Cooperation In a significant diplomatic move, India and Venezuela have agreed to launch a series of pilot projects spanning key sectors. This collaboration, which emerged from the recent visit of Venezuela’s Vice-Minister for ICT Development, Raul Hernandez, to New Delhi, is set to deepen bilateral ties and bolster South-South cooperation. The initiatives will focus on strategic areas including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital infrastructure. Strategic Collaboration Across Key Sectors The discussions between Indian officials and the Venezuelan delegation, which took place from September 14-17, 2025, were centered…