OPERATIONAL READINESS
Travelling for Chhath Puja This Week? 8 Last-Minute Train and Bus Booking Tips to Reach Home on Time
Travelling home for Chhath Puja 2026 but still struggling to find confirmed train or bus tickets? With the festival approaching, demand for routes connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major cities with Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand can make last-minute bookings difficult. From checking special trains and Tatkal quotas to considering nearby railway stations and alternative bus routes, here are practical ways to plan your journey before November 13.
Companies want AI-powered customer service; EY says they need a bigger reset
Adopting artificial intelligence tools alone is insufficient for companies aiming to enhance customer service operations. They need to redesign their operating models and workforce capabilities, as highlighted in an EY report. Assessing existing operations and identifying gaps are crucial first steps in this transformation process. Additionally, integrating AI into existing systems is necessary to drive measurable business outcomes and improve customer experiences.
UAE rescues 22 crew members after cargo ship catches fire in Gulf of Oman
UAE Coast Guard successfully rescued 22 crew members of Arab nationality from a burning cargo ship. The operation was initiated after the crew reported the fire on board the vessel. Specialized teams quickly located the ship and evacuated all individuals in a stable condition. This incident follows a previous rescue operation that involved 22 Asian nationals from an oil tanker in October.
From eastern airbase, Rajnath Singh calls for highest readiness
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed air warriors at Bagdogra Air Force station regarding national security threats. He highlighted the need for armed forces to maintain high operational readiness amid complex security challenges. Singh noted that adversaries may exploit vulnerabilities through misinformation instead of direct confrontation.
TPG invests ₹525 crore in Kirloskar-backed Arka Fincap
The Rise Funds of TPG is planning a significant investment of ₹525 crore into Arka Fincap, backed by the Kirloskar Group. This investment has the potential to be increased to ₹800 crore based on specific performance indicators and regulatory green lights. The funds will support Arka's expansion into secured retail lending and revamp its technological infrastructure.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Sign Up in US, UK and Canada: Who is eligible and how to register for free books every month
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Sign Up is gaining attention after the UK government announced up to £15 million to help more young children access free books. Find out how parents in the US, UK and Canada can register their children, who is eligible, how the programme works and how to check availability in their area.
15,000 trains, 100+ special train pairs and a Vande Bharat: Indian Railways has a big Diwali & Chhath Puja gift for Bihar passengers
Indian Railways will operate 15,000 trains to and from Bihar to manage the festive rush during Diwali and Chhath, compared with around 12,000 services under normal operations. More than 100 pairs of special trains have also been arranged on routes connecting Bihar with Delhi, Punjab, Mumbai, Pune and other destinations. The Railways has also discussed new train services and infrastructure projects in the state.
US to loan about a third of heating oil reserve in bid to tame prices
The US Energy Department will loan 300,000 barrels of fuel oil from its emergency heating reserve to four companies to ease supply pressures and rising prices ahead of winter. The release, nearly a third of the reserve, follows calls from bipartisan senators as Middle East disruptions linked to the Iran war push fuel costs higher.
L&T Finance Pitch Point 2.0: Where an AI startup’s big idea meets enterprise scale
Pitch Point, L&T Finance’s contest for AI startups, is back for a second edition. Last year’s winners, Arrowhead AI and SpoofSense, talk about what they got out of it and what they would tell this year’s new applicants.
BLS International Services net profit rises 8.6% to Rs 201.7 cr in July-September
BLS International Services reported an 8.6 percent growth in profit after tax for the quarter ended September 2026. The company's revenue from operations rose by 32 percent compared to the same period last year. Investments in AI technology, automation, and employee upskilling are part of their growth strategy. The leadership expressed confidence in future growth supported by technology and global expansion.
EV maker Eka plans production in line with infra readiness
Eka Mobility, a Pune-based electric vehicle maker, is facing delays with electric bus deliveries due to charging infrastructure issues. The company can only deliver around 2,000 electric buses from an order book of approximately 11,000 over the next two years. Depot readiness takes about a year as state transport needs to establish necessary infrastructure. Chairman Sudhir Mehta suggested that the government should separate depot development from bus procurement.
Bengal CM announces Rs 5,000 aid for 19,524 tea garden workers ahead of Diwali
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for tea garden workers. The government is considering increasing rice allocation from 35 kg to 50 kg for these workers. Adhikari emphasized the commitment to reopen closed tea gardens for better employment opportunities. He also mentioned upcoming employment benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Chaa Shramik Yojana for eligible workers.
India aiming to achieve Rs 3 lakh crore defence production, Rs 50K crore defence exports by 2029: Rajnath Singh
India aims to build a self-reliant defence ecosystem to meet national security challenges effectively. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted budget increases and production goals during a recent meeting. The focus includes modernizing military capabilities and enhancing personnel preparedness for contemporary warfare. Strategic autonomy, technological advancements, and operational readiness are crucial for India's military future. The objective is a military that can handle various security challenges through continuous modernization efforts.
As HR takes on a larger business role, are organisations recognising the teams driving that change?
The Economic Times HR Excellence Awards 2027 spotlight the transformative nature of HR within organizations, underlining their crucial role in shaping business strategy, fostering talent development, and enhancing employee experiences. With six distinct award categories such as Talent Acquisition and Employee Experience, this initiative serves to honor HR teams that significantly boost organizational performance and drive workforce change.
Where are the remote Aleutian Islands? What makes this region so important, and why has the US Air Force sent F-16 fighter jets there?
The exercise tested the US military's ability to deploy fighter aircraft to remote locations and maintain readiness far from its main bases. The mission involved two F-16s, F-35 Lightning IIs assigned to Eielson Air Force Base, an E-3 Sentry from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Canadian fighter jets. Aerial refueling aircraft also supported the operations.
Defence Ministry inks Rs 53,886 crore deals for new indigenous warships
The Defence Ministry signed contracts worth ₹53,866.50 crore for constructing next-generation corvettes with public shipyards. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited will build five corvettes while Goa Shipyard Limited will construct three. The ships are designed for multi-domain warfare, including anti-surface and anti-submarine operations. This project is expected to create significant employment opportunities in shipyards and ancillary industries over the next decade.
Jammu Airport initiates consultations for commencement of international flights
Jammu Airport has commenced discussions with various stakeholders to assess the feasibility of international flights. A planning meeting involved representatives from airlines and regulatory agencies to identify potential international destinations. The Airport Director highlighted religious tourism and strategic location as key factors for successful operations. Suggestions were made to prioritize routes to West Asia and Europe based on passenger demand.
Indian Army conducts high-altitude training in Ladakh to enhance mechanised forces' readiness
The Indian Army is currently focusing on enhancing the operational readiness of its mechanised forces. Training is being conducted in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh, which poses numerous challenges. Key training includes battlefield movements, surveillance setups, and effective equipment management practices. This effort aims to improve combat preparedness and ensure successful operations in demanding environments. The Army emphasizes its commitment to train hard, operate smart, and strike decisively.
Ministry of Civil Aviation reviews Cyclone 'Arnab' situation, operational readiness
Cyclonic Storm Arnab is expected to intensify as it approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has organized a meeting to ensure aviation safety during this period. Flights to and from coastal regions, including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Rajahmundry, are facing significant disruptions. Airlines have been advised to assist passengers and adhere to operational guidelines amid adverse weather.
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