Author: News Desk

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…

Kerala is set to become the first Indian state to designate an official “state bacterium” to raise awareness about beneficial microbes. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the name of the bacterium on January 23 during the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence in Microbiome (CoEM). The centre will develop microbiome-based products, including probiotic foods and other industry applications. Currently housed at the KINFRA Film & Video Park in Thiruvananthapuram, CoEM will eventually move to the Bio 360 Life Science Park at Thonnakkal. The initiative aims to shift public perception of microbes from being seen only as disease-causing agents to recognizing…

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced the creation of India’s first dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) University in Amaravati, set to begin operations on February 19. The initiative, unveiled by Katamaneni Bhaskar, Secretary of the Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications (ITE&C) Department, was announced during the “TechBharat: AI for Public Good” summit at GITAM Deemed to be University in Visakhapatnam. Bhaskar emphasized the state’s ambition to become a centre for emerging technologies, highlighting that the partnership with NVIDIA will give students and researchers access to advanced computing infrastructure and specialised AI curricula aligned with global standards. In addition to education,…

Palki Sharma has announced her decision to step down as Managing Editor of Firstpost to start her own venture. The development was shared during a town hall meeting for Firstpost employees on Thursday evening, according to sources. Santosh Menon, Chief Content Officer at Network18, told staff that Sharma will remain with the company until March. Binoy Prabhakar, formerly Chief Content Officer at Hindustan Times Digital, will take over as Chief Content Officer at Firstpost, while Rakesh Rai, currently Executive Editor at Firstpost, will be promoted to Managing Editor of News18.com. At Menon’s request, Sharma addressed Firstpost employees, reflecting on her…

The Railway Board has ended the long-standing hold on two significant railway projects in Kerala—the Angamaly–Sabarimala and Guruvayur–Tirunavaya lines—reviving proposals that had been stalled for years. Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said official orders have now been issued, calling it a major boost for the state’s development and pilgrimage infrastructure. “Another important promise fulfilled for Keralam, bringing us closer to the vision of #VikasitaKeralam,” Chandrasekhar posted on social media. The Angamaly–Sabarimala line is expected to ease travel for hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visiting the hill shrine annually, while the Guruvayur–Tirunavaya line will improve connectivity between two key pilgrimage centres…