Megastar Mammootty's old residence in Panampilly Nagar, Kochi, has been converted into a holiday stay. The villa features four themed bedrooms accommodating up to eight guests. It offers unique amenities including a private theatre and art galleries for visitors. The entire property can be booked for approximately Rs 25,433, excluding applicable taxes.
State Bank of India Chairman Dinesh Khara stated that banks and the National Payments Corporation of India will ensure Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) costs are not passed on to customers. This move aims to keep digital payments, particularly via UPI, free for end-users. Khara also revealed SBI's ambition to increase daily UPI transactions processed through its Yono platform to 5 crore. This expansion plan aligns with the broader push for wider adoption of digital payments in India.
India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections increased by nearly 15% in September compared to the previous year. Dispatches from the country's top five automobile manufacturers also saw double-digit growth during the same period. Other sectors, including Unified Payments Interface transactions and private equity-venture capital activity, remained robust. The data collectively signals continued economic expansion.
Two prominent Indian private banks have named new chief executive officers. HDFC Bank appointed Anup Engineer, while Kotak Mahindra Bank named Anup Singh. Both incoming leaders are alumni of the prestigious IIT and IIM institutions. These appointments are part of planned leadership transitions at the financial institutions.
Captain Swayams Mishra discussed India's performance at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand in an interview with the Times of India. He led the women's team to a bronze medal in his first full assignment as captain. Mishra highlighted the crucial, match-winning impact of player Savitha Shri during the campaign. He stated that any medal India won was owed to her significant contributions.
On the first day of a stricter enforcement drive in Delhi, authorities mandated that fuel could not be sold to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate. NDTV reporters visited two petrol pumps, one in Janpath and another in Mayur Vihar Phase 1, to observe the implementation. Cameras were reportedly installed at these locations to monitor compliance. However, no government officials were present on-site to enforce the rule directly. The drive aims to reduce vehicular pollution in the capital city.
A US Department of Energy engineer has been arrested on charges of providing material support to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The engineer allegedly transmitted classified national defense information to an individual linked to the group. This arrest occurred in Colorado, as announced by federal authorities. The charges stem from an investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data. The case highlights concerns over insider threats to national security.
The Patna High Court intervened in a case where a taxpayer was forced to pay the same tax demand twice in 2022. The individual had paid Rs 1.24 lakh to the Income Tax Department, but the amount was mistakenly not recorded against his Permanent Account Number (PAN). Authorities then levied the same amount again from his bank account. The court has now directed the department to refund the wrongly collected second payment with interest.
The newly appointed chief of the BJP's Madhya Pradesh unit has issued a directive to party members. He has asked them to significantly cut down on the use of flowers and garlands at party events and functions. This instruction was reportedly given during his initial address after taking charge of the state unit. The move is framed as an effort to promote simplicity and curb unnecessary expenditure within the party.
Indian security forces have arrested Hashim Moosa, the final suspect linked to the 2019 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Moosa, alleged to be a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, was captured after a 527-day nationwide manhunt. The attack targeted a Central Reserve Police Force patrol, resulting in multiple casualties. His arrest concludes the intensive search for individuals connected to this specific assault.
India has selected Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh as the venue for a national tourism stakeholders' meeting. The event is scheduled for April 22 and 23. China is among the foreign countries that have been invited to participate. This move comes despite China's longstanding territorial claims over the region, which India rejects. The invitation is seen as part of diplomatic outreach.
The Ministry of Culture confirmed that space for a library is included in the Central Vista redevelopment plan in New Delhi. The statement was made in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. It clarified that detailed planning for the library's design and collection will be decided later. The ministry emphasized the project aims to create a modern, integrated cultural district for the nation.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed a special drive to enrol voters in 20 states and union territories. The initiative targets areas where the Special Summary Revision (SSR) process yielded lower-than-expected registration numbers. The drive will focus on enrolling young voters and those left out of the regular process. The ECI aims to ensure no eligible voter is excluded ahead of upcoming elections.
The Indian Space Research Organisation has established a new facility in Guwahati, Assam. This station is dedicated to tracking satellites and other space assets. It will enhance ISRO's network for monitoring spacecraft operations. The expansion aims to improve the reliability and coverage of India's space-based surveillance capabilities.
OpenAI dismissed three employees for improperly handling sensitive information. At least two of these staffers reportedly worked on AI safety and alignment efforts. The AI lab, based in San Francisco, did not publicly identify the individuals. The incident was reported by major financial news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.
The Pentagon has announced a new $24.4 billion contract to increase the pace of missile production. The agreement spans five years and includes two optional extension years. The missiles are described as crucial weapons for both anti-air and anti-surface combat. The contract aims to address the need for faster delivery of these munitions.
A family in Somerset, England, has been growing the same variety of broad beans for nearly 150 years. The heirloom seeds have been passed down and cultivated since 1875. This unique bean has now been added to the UK's national seed collection. The inclusion ensures this historic genetic line is preserved for future generations.
Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman has received widespread praise for his conduct after being captured by Pakistan. His actions followed an aerial engagement between the two countries in late February 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump were among those who commended his bravery. The pilot, a graduate of a flying school in Maharashtra, was described by former instructors as a confident and reliable individual. He was returned to India after intense diplomatic efforts.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding a Karnataka government petition to the Supreme Court. The state government, led by the Congress party, has approached the court seeking to overturn a high court order related to a Karnataka Public Service Commission recruitment process. The BJP's criticism centers on the government's legal move in this ongoing recruitment controversy. This political dispute stems from a long-running row over appointments to state government posts.
Minority shareholders Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh have raised concerns to the NCLT regarding a proposed merger of Tata Consumer Products with three group companies. The shareholders argue the move appears designed to circumvent a regulatory mandate requiring Tata Sons to launch a public offering by September 2025. Their filing, submitted to the National Company Law Tribunal, seeks a review of the merger's valuation methodology and fairness. The legal intervention highlights ongoing corporate governance debates within the Tata Group.