Author: Bhakti Narayanan

During his two-day visit to Oman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Sultanate’s highest civilian honour, the First Class of the Order of Oman. This prestigious recognition places him among the world’s most decorated leaders and adds to his growing list of international accolades. The Order of Oman is the Sultanate’s top national award, reserved for foreign heads of state and global leaders who have significantly contributed to bilateral ties. PM Modi’s latest honour follows other distinguished awards, including Ethiopia’s Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia and Kuwait’s Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, highlighting his global stature and diplomatic influence. Expressing…

Neeraj Ghaywan’s directorial venture, ‘Homebound’, has officially been shortlisted for the International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, moving to the next round of voting for the coveted Oscars 2026. The film, starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, is among the 15 titles that have become eligible for final nominations in the category. According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), a total of 86 countries and regions submitted films for consideration in the International Feature Film category. In the next phase, Academy members from all branches who opt in for participation must view all…

rime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized on Thursday that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman serves as a “blueprint for a shared future,” setting the stage for long-term growth in bilateral relations. Speaking at the India-Oman Business Summit, he described the agreement as a historic decision whose impact will be felt for decades. “CEPA will bring renewed trust and energy to our 21st-century partnership. It will expand trade, inspire investment, and create fresh opportunities across all sectors,” PM Modi stated. He encouraged business leaders from both countries to harness the momentum of the summit to strengthen trade…

US-based software firm Freshworks is actively exploring acquisitions to strengthen its artificial intelligence and product portfolio, supported by a cash reserve of more than $800 million. Chief Executive Officer Dennis Woodside said the company is looking at potential deals to accelerate revenue growth over the next few years, with artificial intelligence remaining a central theme of its strategy. The acquisition push comes at a time when AI adoption is reshaping the global technology landscape and driving a surge in mergers and acquisitions. According to data cited by JP Morgan, worldwide deal activity rose by 39 percent in 2025 to nearly…

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to arrive in Oman, members of the Indian business and professional community have expressed strong optimism, saying the visit will significantly deepen India–Oman ties and unlock new avenues for trade and investment. Speaking to IANS in Muscat on Wednesday, Indian industry leaders said the visit comes at a crucial time when both countries are seeking to elevate their partnership through structured dialogue and are exploring the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Nirmal K. Minda, Executive Chairman of Uno Minda Limited, said the visit could unlock collaboration across multiple sectors, including energy, manufacturing…

Apple Inc recorded its highest-ever monthly export value from India in November, shipping iPhones worth about $2,000 million, according to industry data. This milestone highlights India’s steadily expanding role in Apple’s global manufacturing and supply chain strategy. Based on the latest figures, the US-based technology company has exported iPhones valued at roughly $14,000 million from India during the first eight months of the current financial year. This strong export performance reflects both increased production capacity and rising global demand for devices assembled in the country. Recent company filings revealed that Apple India achieved record domestic sales of around $9,000 million…

The Indian Space Research Organisation is preparing for the launch of BlueBird-6, the largest US commercial satellite handled by the agency to date. The mission has been rescheduled to December 21, 2025, from its earlier date of December 15, following extended pre-launch procedures and system integration activities. BlueBird-6 has been developed in collaboration with US-based AST SpaceMobile and represents a major advancement in global communication technology. The satellite is designed to deliver direct-to-device broadband connectivity, particularly targeting regions across the world that lack reliable communication infrastructure. Once operational, it will enable mobile devices to connect directly to satellite networks without…

MedSpeed, a leading provider of same-day healthcare logistics, has announced the appointment of Dhiraj Patkar as its new chief product and technology officer (CPTO). In this role, Patkar will guide the company’s product vision, technology strategy, and digital capabilities to enhance operational efficiency, service delivery, and customer outcomes. “I am thrilled to join MedSpeed during such a transformative period for healthcare logistics. While the industry grows increasingly complex, technology offers remarkable opportunities to innovate supply chains with a patient-first approach,” Patkar stated. “We are prioritizing AI integration and operational advancements to provide cutting-edge solutions that elevate the patient experience.” Patkar…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday concluded his landmark two-day visit to Jordan and departed for Ethiopia on a State visit, marking the next leg of his diplomatic engagement in West Asia and Africa. In a special gesture reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties, Jordan’s Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II personally bid farewell to the Prime Minister at the airport in Amman. Earlier in the day, the Crown Prince also drove Prime Minister Modi to the Jordan Museum, where Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, Vice-Chair of the museum, gave them a special tour. The visit highlighted the deep civilisational…

Time magazine has named the “Architects of AI” as its 2025 Person of the Year, celebrating individuals whose work is transforming technology, business, and daily life. The special issue features two striking covers: one depicting AI as a monumental construction project and another reimagining the iconic 1932 “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photograph with prominent voices from the global AI scene, including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Among the honorees, Karandeep Anand, CEO of Character.AI, has emerged as a central figure in reshaping human interaction with technology. Previously a leader at Meta and Microsoft, Anand has focused on scaling…