Author: News Desk
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Sunday that India will develop seven high-speed rail corridors connecting major cities, as part of the Union Budget 2026-27. Speaking in Parliament, she said these corridors will act as “growth connectors,” promoting environmentally sustainable passenger transport. The proposed corridors will link Mumbai-Pune, Hyderabad-Pune, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri. Currently, work is underway on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed rail project, a 508-km corridor designed for bullet trains operating at 320 kmph. The project, passing through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, will reduce travel time to just 2 hours and 17 minutes. Sitharaman also…
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026 on Sunday, February 1, marking her ninth consecutive Budget in Parliament. While the country listens closely for economic priorities and policy signals, attention also turns to what Nirmala wears on Budget Day, a tradition that has come to symbolise India’s rich textile heritage. This year, Nirmala will present the Budget wearing a magenta Kattam Kanjeevaram silk saree from Tamil Nadu. The saree features golden checks and a coffee-brown border detailed with intricate threadwork. She has paired it with a plain yellow, full-sleeve blouse. Kanjeevaram sarees are among India’s most renowned handwoven silks,…
The United Arab Emirates is preparing to launch its first national passenger rail network in 2026, a major milestone in the country’s transport and infrastructure development. Operated by Etihad Rail Mobility, the project will connect key cities across all seven emirates, linking urban centres like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah through an integrated rail system. Once operational, the service will enable travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in about 50 minutes, a significant reduction from the current road journey, and vastly improve connectivity for residents, tourists and commuters. Trains are designed for comfort and reliability, featuring Wi-Fi, ergonomic seating and modern amenities, while supporting economic growth and…
Sunetra Pawar has reportedly accepted the proposal to take charge as Maharashtra’s new Deputy Chief Minister, with her oath expected around 5 pm tomorrow. If confirmed, the 63-year-old Rajya Sabha MP would become the first woman to hold the post, filling the position left vacant after the accidental death of NCP president Ajit Pawar. While she has long been part of one of Maharashtra’s most influential political families, Sunetra Pawar has largely stayed away from frontline politics until recently. Her potential elevation places her at the center of both the NCP’s internal dynamics and the broader Pawar family realignment. Early…
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…