Microsoft India and South Asia President, Puneet Chandok, discusses the company's strong belief in human-centric AI development, significant investments in India's cloud and AI infrastructure, and the country's pivotal role as an AI market, talent hub, and technology builder. He highlights AI's impact on jobs and the need for responsible innovation.
For five Mumbaikars who were teenagers or in their 20s during the 1980s, the decade was not a sepia-toned Instagram filter. It was their everyday life, they tell Rediff's Rishika Shah. And while they remember its limitations, what they seem to miss most is something technology can't recreate -- the unhurried warmth of human connection.
US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran is attempting to remove him from office, believing a Democratic administration would permit them to develop nuclear weapons. Trump vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities and stated he has no regrets about his confrontational approach, claiming he would act the same way again. He also linked the ongoing conflict to rising stock markets and oil prices, and controversially suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz.
The Brics proposal for a Grain Exchange, aimed at challenging the dominance of Western trading firms, faces significant operational and implementation hurdles, including settlement currency, regulatory frameworks, and limited participation from key members like India, according to experts.
'The groom is not a privilege, he is a responsibility. The bride is not a responsibility, she is a privilege. Yeh Prem Mol Liya revolves around this thought.'
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has strongly criticised the newly introduced Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions, labelling it a "UPI tax" and demanding its immediate rollback. He drew parallels with demonetisation, arguing that the new framework would negatively impact small shopkeepers, MSMEs, and ordinary citizens by increasing prices.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, traded flat in early deals due to elevated crude oil prices exceeding USD 100 per barrel and persistent geopolitical tensions, which subdued investor risk appetite.
Indian cricketers Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara took to social media to extend their warm wishes to fans on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, sharing messages of peace, health, and prosperity.
The Indian women's cricket team fully supports the BCCI's decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council's Pakistani chief Mohsin Naqvi, with head coach Amol Muzumdar stating that winning the tournament is 'good enough' for the players.
India's women's 10m air rifle team, comprising Sonam Uttam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan, and Vidarsa Vinod, secured a silver medal at the Asian Games, marking the country's first medal in shooting. The trio finished second behind China, with Sonam and Elavenil also qualifying for the individual finals, raising hopes for more medals.
India on Tuesday reiterated the call for free and safe navigation in international waters and the unhindered flow of commerce through international waterways in the region after the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT El Gaia came under attack off the coast of Oman, with 13 of the 14 Indian nationals on board rescued while search operations are underway for one missing seafarer.
The West Indies have announced their ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against India, with John Campbell returning to the ODI side and Kamil Pooran earning his maiden T20I call-up.
Vidarsa K Vinod has made history by becoming the first woman from Keralam to win an Asian Games medal in shooting, securing a silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event in Japan.
Some decades are worth remembering exactly as they were, unfiltered, because that's the only way the people who survived them get to be seen at all, points out Binu Alex.
Indian pharmaceutical companies are not rushing to relocate manufacturing to the United States despite former President Donald Trump's renewed threat of tariffs up to 200 per cent on imported generic drugs. Instead, they are leveraging existing US plants, contract manufacturers, and making selective investments in complex products while maintaining India as their primary production hub.
Indian shooting star Manu Bhaker, a flagbearer at the Asian Games, has called upon her fellow athletes to concentrate on their performance and not be distracted by the organisational challenges and logistical issues marring the event's build-up. She emphasised that the opportunity is rare and should be seized with full dedication.
GIS intelligence solutions provider Mirai Aerospace Systems and Software Solutions has signed an MoU with US-based GreenValley International Inc to strengthen India's geospatial and LiDAR remote sensing manufacturing base. The collaboration focuses on local assembly, manufacturing, technical support, and the development of AI-driven LiDAR applications, aiming to meet India's growing demand across various sectors.
A new study published in AGU Advances reveals that extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and expanding beyond traditional summer months globally. This expansion is asymmetric, occurring earlier in spring in regions like western Europe and northwestern India, and later into autumn in areas such as the western US and eastern China. Researchers highlight the challenges this poses for human acclimatisation and community preparedness, as existing infrastructure like cooling centres are built around historical summer calendars.
A think tank, GTRI, has urged India to resist US pressure regarding its UPI policies, advocating for the defence of competition, policy autonomy, and the long-term sustainability of its payments ecosystem. This comes as the Lok Sabha passed a bill allowing charges on UPI transactions, a move GTRI suggests should not be influenced by foreign trade complaints.
India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has clarified that the recent amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) are primarily aimed at enhancing transparency and ensuring accountability in foreign financial flows.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced that the Congress would not withdraw its candidate Milan Pradhan from the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in West Bengal, despite his recent arrest. Pradhan was apprehended in connection with a 2007 anti-land acquisition movement case, shortly after the Trinamool Congress extended its support to him. Venugopal alleged political pressure and questioned the Election Commission's silence, vowing to elevate the issue to a national level.
A Kanpur-based engineer, Chandan Gupta, alleges he was abused, threatened, and tortured during a 48-hour detention by Russian police in Moscow. He denies charges of public intoxication and property damage, claiming police provided no evidence and denied him contact with family or a translator. Gupta also criticises the Indian Embassy's handling of the situation, stating they relied solely on the Russian police's version of events. Traumatised, he has returned to India and vows never to work abroad again.
A US federal judge has permanently dismissed the criminal securities-fraud case against Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar, closing nearly two years of prosecution without a trial. Gautam Adani stated, "Truth has prevailed," in response to the ruling.
Coco Gauff celebrates the historic U.S. Open semi-final clash between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, marking the first time two Black American men will compete at this stage in a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Gauff, also in the women's semi-finals, expressed her pride and admiration for Tiafoe's inspiring presence on tour.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has stated that the national team is yet to receive government clearance to participate in the men's Asian Champions Trophy in India, refuting claims of confirmed participation.
India-EU FTA opens a bigger European market for Indian carmakers while giving European brands greater access to India.
'For Indian institutions this year, global peers are outpacing in key areas such as RoI, entrepreneurship, and alumni outcomes.'
The challenge for India lies in navigating complex landscape to its best advantage. The BRICS Summit will test its navigation skills, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
'When I was shooting the scene, I started welling up and I don't know why.'
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed mixed on Friday. While a drop in crude oil prices offered some relief, weakness in IT stocks and several Tata Group counters, including a significant dip in Tata Chemicals and ongoing boardroom issues at Tata Sons, limited a broader market recovery.
An Indian-origin chief financial officer of a US spinal implant company has been sentenced to a four-month jail term for his role in a scheme to bribe surgeons. Aditya Humad conspired to pay over USD 540,000 in sham consulting fees to surgeons to induce them to use SpineFrontier's products, leading to millions in revenue for the company and undermining healthcare safeguards.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi for the BRICS summit, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance trade and strengthen overall relations. His visit is particularly significant given the heightened tensions in West Asia and recent US economic sanctions against Iran. Pezeshkian highlighted BRICS' role in fostering economic resilience and reducing dependence on the US dollar, while the summit itself aims to address global challenges and bolster collective resilience in critical sectors.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reiterated the nation's unwavering commitment to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, underscoring its role in regional security following an attempted drone attack near the holy city of Mecca. The pact, signed by Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia, establishes a framework for collective deterrence against armed attacks.
Dave Cousins, India's new national compound archery head coach, believes a historic first Olympic medal for India is inevitable. He is preparing the team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and has long-term plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, noting the changing Asian archery landscape and the impressive work ethic of Indian archers.
Nikhil Rasal from Satara and Adarsh Mitra Mandal of Gharat Aali, Alibag, have used their Ganpati decorations to highlight the work and public service associated with Tukaram Mundhe, commissioner of food and drug administration turning the festival into a platform for social awareness.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant downturn, with Sensex tanking 778 points and Nifty closing at a five-month low, driven by surging crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and fears of further interest rate hikes by major central banks.
India's shooting campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games commenced with a strong performance, securing two silver medals in the women's 10m air rifle event. Experienced shooter Elavenil Valarivan was instrumental, winning an individual silver and contributing to a team silver alongside Sonam Uttam Maskar and debutant Vidarsa Vinod. While Elavenil narrowly missed individual gold, her performance, coupled with the team's success, provided an encouraging start for India.
'Gurmmeet Singh was extremely sure in his head that the canvas should be bigger. The movie should look big on screen. It should look like the Mirzapur world but at the same time, much bigger.'
BJD chief Naveen Patnaik has voiced concerns over the Centre's decision to introduce Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15, urging protection for small traders and common people. This move has sparked a political debate, with the BJP defending the charges as beneficial for digital infrastructure and largely not impacting consumers, while the Congress and traders' associations criticise it as an additional burden.
Quimcy D'Souza, a self-funded and self-coached Indian teqball player, competed at the Asian Games with the aim of popularising the sport in India. Despite narrowly missing out on two bronze medals, D'Souza views her journey as a crucial first step towards establishing teqball in the country and inspiring more athletes.
