India, US Strengthen Ties with Bold Space and Innovation Initiatives

Both sides agreed to explore the creation of a new space innovation bridge to promote partnerships between US and Indian startups focused on advancing space situational awareness, satellite technology and space launch and exploration. Indian and the United States officials have charted next steps in space collaboration, including human spaceflight, joint space exploration and a commitment to facilitating commercial partnerships between space companies to advance the shared interests in the growing space economy, the White House said on Wednesday. A meeting in this regard was held in Houston on December…

C-DOT and Silizium Circuits Collaborate on Cutting-Edge LEO Satellite and GNSS RF Front-End Development

In a significant step towards developing Indigenous state-of-the-art next-generation telecommunications technology, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India has signed an agreement with Silizium Circuits Pvt Ltd a fabless Semiconductor IP & SoC Startup under FABCI(Fabless Chip Design Incubator) IIT Hyderabad for the “Design and Development of LEO Satellite Components and GNSS RF Front End ASIC”. The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. This…

EAM Jaishankar: Foreign Policy Should Evolve to Address Digital Age Demands

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar today (December 15) highlighted the need to adapt a foreign policy as per the changing requirements of the digital era. Addressing the launch of India’s World Magazine in Delhi, Jaishankar noted that the digital era is fundamentally different from manufacturing as it presents newer challenges such as building global partnerships and trusting others with our data. “The digital era calls for a foreign policy requirement of its own because the digital era is fundamentally different from the manufacturing era. The kind of hedging…

Global Disruption: Users Worldwide Face Issues with WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and ChatGPT

Popular platforms WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and ChatGPT faced a massive global outage, leaving thousands of users unable to access services. Meta social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Messenger and WhatsApp faced a global outage on Wednesday evening. The glitches, which started around 11 PM IST, left users in many countries struggling with slow loading times, errors and difficulties in posting. Some users reported being unable to access the platforms entirely, while others encountered glitches, such as Facebook posts displaying with zero comments. Facebook, Instagram most affected The outage mainly…

Google and Andhra Pradesh Join Forces to Drive AI Innovation and Digital Transformation

A Milestone in Technological Advancement As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries worldwide, India is taking bold strides to integrate this transformative technology into its governance and public welfare initiatives. Leading this charge, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has partnered with Google in a groundbreaking collaboration to accelerate AI adoption and innovation. This initiative aims to enhance digital infrastructure, foster skill development, and address critical challenges in sectors such as healthcare, sustainability, and governance, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a frontrunner in India’s technological renaissance. The MoU Between Google and Andhra Pradesh…

ChatGPT Pro Unveiled: OpenAI Offers Advanced Features, Including Voice Mode and Unlimited Access

OpenAI unveils ChatGPT Pro with unlimited access to its reasoning model, voice mode and more, but at a price OpenAI is launching a new subscription-based exclusive model, ChatGPT Pro, that will include unlimited access to OpenAI o1, GPT 4o and Advanced voice mode. The ChatGPT Pro will cost users $200 (around Rs 17,000) per month. It also offers a Pro-exclusive version of o1, known as o1 pro mode, which utilises additional computing power and reasoning to deliver the best solutions for complex problems. The company will maintain a Plus tier…

India Poised for a Satellite Revolution: Relaxed Rules to Benefit Global Players

India’s Satellite Communication Landscape India’s satellite communication (satcom) sector is on the brink of transformative change, with the government reportedly considering regulatory relaxations to attract global players like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’s Amazon Kuiper. This potential shift in policy reflects India’s ambition to expand its space economy and align its framework with international standards. If implemented, these reforms could catalyze the integration of satellite-based telecom services into India’s digital infrastructure, bridging gaps in rural connectivity and advancing the country’s global position in space technology. Proposed Reforms: Aligning with…

BSNL’s New Fiber Service Challenges Jio and Airtel: Free OTT and HD Channels for Subscribers

BSNL has partnered with Skypro to offer an extensive range of channels, OTT, and various other value-added services through its state-of-the-art IPTV platform. This service is available free of cost to BSNL’s FTTH customers. BSNL has recently launched India’s first internet TV service, called IFTV, which provides fiber-based connectivity. This service was initially available in Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and it has now been introduced in Punjab as well. The company made this exciting announcement through their official social media channels. BSNL is partnering with Skypro, a company that…

India on the Brink of Overtaking Japan to Become No. 4 Economy: IMF Highlights Key Growth Drivers

India’s economic trajectory continues to capture global attention as it maintains its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. With a 5.4% growth in the July-September quarter of 2024, the country has seen a slight deceleration from the previous quarter’s 6.7%. However, sustained growth and strategic initiatives are paving the way for India to overtake Japan as the fourth-largest economy by 2025. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India’s economy is projected to reach $4.34 trillion by 2025, marginally surpassing Japan’s $4.31 trillion. This achievement will stem from a…

ED Raids Uncover ₹1,400-Crore Bank Fraud Linked to Kwality Ltd. Executives

High-Stakes Investigations Across Delhi-NCR In a significant move against financial crimes, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive raids on November 27 at 12 locations in Delhi-NCR. The raids targeted former promoters and directors of Kwality Ltd., a dairy product manufacturer, in connection with an alleged ₹1,400-crore bank fraud and money laundering case. The operation, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), reflects the ED’s intensified efforts to crack down on economic offenses. Details of the Kwality Ltd. Case The investigation originates from a 2020 Central Bureau of Investigation…