New Delhi: India has significantly advanced its naval capabilities with the commissioning of its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighaat. The ceremony, held on Thursday in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who underscored the strategic importance of this new addition to the Indian Navy.

INS Arighaat, part of the Arihant-Class, follows the earlier induction of INS Arihant. The submarine’s commissioning is a key step in strengthening India’s nuclear triad, a strategic defense framework comprising land-based missiles, air-based systems, and sea-based deterrents. Singh highlighted that INS Arighaat will play a vital role in enhancing national security and sovereignty by bolstering the country’s sea-based nuclear deterrence capabilities.

The Defence Ministry noted that INS Arighaat features advanced technology and improvements over its predecessor, reflecting India’s progress in indigenous submarine development and its commitment to defense self-reliance. These technological enhancements are designed to significantly increase the submarine’s effectiveness and reliability.

The induction of INS Arighaat marks a milestone in India’s naval history and reinforces its position as a significant maritime power. This new submarine is expected to contribute substantially to maintaining strategic stability in the Indian Ocean region and ensuring the country’s defense preparedness. The addition of INS Arighaat is a testament to India’s growing expertise in naval technology and its evolving defense strategy.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing for a pivotal visit to Europe, with stops in Poland and Ukraine scheduled from August 21 to 23. This visit holds particular importance as the conflict in Ukraine continues to capture global attention and concern.

In anticipation of his visit to Kyiv, PM Modi expressed his eagerness to engage in constructive discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussions are expected to focus on finding peaceful resolutions to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, which has not only impacted the region but also had broader implications on international peace and security.

Modi’s visit to Ukraine underscores India’s ongoing commitment to promoting peace through dialogue and diplomacy. As a nation that has always advocated for peaceful negotiations to resolve international disputes, India views this visit as an opportunity to contribute positively to the situation in Ukraine.

The trip will begin in Poland, where the Prime Minister will spend two days in the capital, Warsaw. During his stay, Modi is expected to meet with Polish leaders to discuss various issues, including enhancing bilateral trade, strengthening defense ties, and addressing regional security concerns. Poland’s proximity to Ukraine and its role in Eastern European affairs make it a key player in the broader geopolitical landscape of the region.

After concluding his engagements in Warsaw, Modi will proceed to Kyiv, where his focus will shift entirely to the Ukraine conflict. This visit marks a significant moment in India’s diplomatic efforts to support global peace and stability, particularly in regions facing ongoing conflict.

New Delhi: In an exhilarating turn of events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, India’s men’s hockey team has secured their spot in the quarterfinals with a historic 3-2 victory over Australia. This win, marking India’s first Olympic triumph over Australia since the 1972 Munich Games, ensures they finish second in Pool B and set up an exciting quarterfinal clash against Great Britain.

The final pool stage results have determined the quarterfinal match-ups:

• Germany vs. Argentina
• Belgium vs. Spain
• Netherlands vs. Australia
• India vs. Great Britain

Germany sealed their quarterfinal berth with a strong performance against Great Britain, highlighted by two goals from striker Christopher Ruehr. Meanwhile, the Netherlands staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Spain 5-3, overcoming a halftime deficit with a commanding second-half display.

India’s journey to the quarterfinals saw a dramatic 3-2 win over Australia, driven by early goals from Abhishek and captain Harmanpreet Singh. Despite a 1-2 loss to Belgium and a 1-1 draw with Argentina, this crucial victory against Australia propelled India to a strong finish in their pool.

The final pool matches also featured a thrilling 3-3 draw between Argentina and Belgium, with Belgium’s Thibeau Stockbroekx scoring a late equalizer. In other results, Ireland edged out New Zealand 2-1, and South Africa triumphed over France 5-2. Unfortunately, these teams have been eliminated from the tournament.

As the quarterfinals approach on Sunday, fans can look forward to intense and high-stakes match-ups, with each game promising to deliver top-notch hockey action.

Featuring a 102kWh battery pack, the Spectre promises a WLTP cycle range of 530km. Charging from 10 to 80 percent can be accomplished in 34 minutes with a 195kW charger, or in 95 minutes with a 50kW DC charger. Powered by two electric motors—one on each axle—the Spectre generates a combined output of 585hp and 900Nm, propelling the 2,890kg vehicle to 100kph in just 4.5 seconds.

Built on Rolls-Royce’s Aluminium Spaceframe Architecture, known as the Architecture of Luxury, the Spectre shares its foundation with current models like the Phantom, Cullinan, and Ghost, having been engineered for electric capabilities from its inception. The vehicle boasts a 30 percent increase in stiffness compared to previous Rolls-Royce iterations, featuring active suspension and four-wheel steering.

Inspired by contemporary yacht concepts, the Spectre showcases a striking design, highlighted by its widest-ever grille with aerodynamic efficiency in mind, boasting 22 LEDs for soft nighttime illumination. The Spirit of Ecstasy emblem has also been aerodynamically optimized, contributing to the Spectre’s remarkable drag coefficient of 0.25, making it the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce to date.

The introduction of the Spectre marks a significant milestone in Rolls-Royce’s ambition to transition to an all-electric brand by 2030. Serving as the sole coupe in the lineup following the conclusion of Dawn production, the Spectre represents a pivotal step in the luxury automaker’s electrification journey.

The SUV segment dominated with over 50% of total car sales in FY24, with five SUVs among the top 10 best-selling cars in India. Hatchbacks comprised three entries, while one each belonged to the sedan and MPV categories. In terms of segment share within the passenger vehicle (PV) industry, SUVs led with 50.4%, followed by hatchbacks (27.8%), MPVs (9.3%), sedans (9%), and vans (3.5%). SUVs, MPVs, and vans witnessed growth, whereas hatchbacks and sedans saw a decline in market share.

Maruti Suzuki India claimed six models among the top 10 best-sellers in FY24, while Tata Motors secured two spots, and Hyundai Motor India and Mahindra & Mahindra each had one.

Maruti Suzuki WagonR continued its dominance with sales of 200,177 units in FY24, retaining its top spot from FY22 and FY23. Following closely were Maruti Suzuki Baleno with 195,607 units and Maruti Suzuki Swift with 195,321 units, showcasing Maruti Suzuki’s stronghold in the hatchback segment.

Tata Nexon continued to lead the SUV segment with 171,697 units sold in FY24, maintaining its top position from FY22 and FY23. Tata Punch followed suit with 170,076 units, while Maruti Suzuki Brezza, a competitor to the Nexon, secured 169,897 units.

In the sedan category, Maruti Suzuki Dzire performed impressively with sales of 164,517 units in FY24.

Hyundai Creta emerged as the best-selling mid-size SUV with 161,653 units sold in FY24. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga stood as the lone MPV with sales of 149,757 units, while Mahindra Scorpio, including N and Classic variants, secured the 10th position with 141,462 units sold in FY24.

10 largest-selling cars in India in FY24

• Maruti Suzuki WagonR – 200,177 units
• Maruti Suzuki Baleno – 195,607 units
• Maruti Suzuki Swift – 195,321 units
• Tata Nexon – 171,697 units
• Tata Punch – 170,076 units
• Maruti Suzuki Brezza – 169,897 units
• Maruti Suzuki Dzire – 164,517 units
• Hyundai Creta – 161,653 units
• Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – 149,757 units
• Mahindra Scorpio – 141,462 units

Catering to employers, Indeed has launched “Smart Sourcing,” a cutting-edge AI tool designed to curate an active talent pool comprising nearly 300 million professionals worldwide, drawn from profiles and resumes available on Indeed. Leveraging Indeed’s AI-powered matching technology, this tool swiftly identifies top candidates for a given role based on their skillsets, experiences, and qualifications. This enables employers to promptly assess matched candidates, establish direct connections, and ultimately streamline the hiring process.

At Indeed, we believe that people are at the core of any successful organization. That’s why we’re committed to simplifying the hiring process, not just for efficiency, but also to create a positive experience for both employers and job seekers.Abhishek added, We are pleased to introduce an innovative AI-powered ‘’Smart Sourcing’ that demonstrates our commitment to revolutionizing job matching and hiring in India.

Abhishek Dhasmana, Senior Product Director at Indeed

Indeed’s latest survey highlights a significant challenge for employers in India, with 76% struggling to source skilled candidates. Addressing this, Indeed’s AI-driven Smart Sourcing matches job specifications with suitable candidates, offering AI-generated summaries. Customizable outreach features personalize messages based on resumes, saving time. 83% of Indian employers see the urgency for efficient hiring platforms. Smart Sourcing saves 8.1 hours/week in recruiting, with 95% agreeing it reduces time-to-hire. Job seekers emphasize relevance; Smart Sourcing aims to enhance communication and match accuracy. Additionally, Indeed introduces Specialist Media Networks in India to assist in filling competitive roles.

• Full public debut at New York Auto Show.
• The sedan will replace Forte in Kia’s global portfolio.
• Will not be brought to India considering Kia’s SUV ambitions.

2025 Kia K4 exterior 

Kia’s design team for the K4 aimed to achieve a contemporary and distinctive body shape by creatively twisting the connections of logically aligned squares in what they term as ‘Twist Logic’. This approach aligns with Kia’s newer vehicle designs, including the Carnival, EV5, EV9, and others. The K4 showcases sharp L-shaped vertical LED headlamps at the front, flanking a petite tiger nose grille. Its design includes a gently sloping roofline, complemented by a spacious rear windscreen, lending it a liftback coupe-like appearance. The L-shaped lighting motif extends to the tail lights, while diamond-cut alloys enhance its modern aesthetic. Additionally, the incorporation of rear door handles into the C-pillar adds to its sleek profile.

2025 Kia K4 interior

Within the cabin, the K4 showcases a Slate Green theme, although Kia plans to offer additional interior color choices such as Canyon Brown, Onyx Black, and Medium Gray. Notably, the driver’s and passenger’s side doors present distinct color combinations. The focal point of the interior is a dual-screen display, complemented by physical buttons positioned beneath it alongside a rotary controller. The steering wheel, sporting a two-spoke design, is flattened at the top and bottom, featuring an offset Kia emblem. Expect further details regarding features and specifications to emerge closer to the sedan’s launch.

2025 Kia K4 launch and positioning

The Kia K4 is poised to unveil to the public on March 27 at the New York Auto Show. It is anticipated to hit the United States market later this year, where it will compete against rivals such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra.However, there are no plans to introduce the K4 in India. Instead, Kia is focusing on launching a new sub-4-meter lifestyle SUV in the Indian market, known as the Clavis. Positioned between the Sonet and Seltos in its portfolio, the Clavis is currently under development for the Indian market.

iQOO Z9 5G vs Poco X6 vs Nothing Phone 2a: Price in India compared

iQOO Z9 5G vs Poco X6 5G vs Nothing Phone 2a: Pricing Battle in India! iQOO Z9 5G Starts at Rs 19,999, Poco X6 5G Available at a Discounted Price of Rs 19,999, and Nothing Phone 2a Priced at Rs 23,999 (effective price Rs 21,999 with bank offers). Analyzing the Cost-effective Options for 5G Mid-Range Seekers.

iQOO Z9 5G vs Poco X6 vs Nothing Phone 2a: Design

Choose between Poco X6 and iQOO Z9 for Subtle Elegance, or Embrace the Unique Appeal of Nothing Phone with its Stylish Semi-Transparent Design and Cool Light Setup. Find the Perfect Match for Your Personal Style!

iQOO Z9 5G vs Poco X6 vs Nothing Phone 2a: Display

Display Delights: The iQOO Z9 5G features a 6.67-inch AMOLED FHD+ display with 60Hz-120Hz refresh rate, 1,800nits peak brightness, and Dragontrail Star2 Plus Glass protection. The Nothing Phone (2a) comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED FHD+ screen, adaptive 30Hz-120Hz refresh rate, 1,300nits peak brightness, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Meanwhile, the Poco phone offers a sharper 6.67-inch 1.5K resolution display with 30Hz-120Hz refresh rate, 1,800nits peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Poco’s 12-bit screen provides an enhanced content-consuming experience with more vibrant colors and detailed visuals compared to Nothing’s 10-bit screen and iQOO’s 8-bit panel.

iQOO Z9 5G vs Poco X6 vs Nothing Phone 2a: Chipset, performance comparison using benchmarks

Powerful Performance Showdown: iQOO Z9 5G with Dimensity 7200 SoC, Nothing Phone 2a with Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC, and Poco X6 with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Chip. While all deliver smooth performance, benchmark scores reveal the edge. Nothing Phone 2a dominates with a remarkable Antutu score of 6,82,053, surpassing iQOO Z9 (6,42,904) and Poco X6 (6,11,155). Geekbench scores depict comparable CPU performance, with iQOO Z9 scoring 1172 (single-core)/2630 (multi-core), Poco X6 achieving 1017 (single-core)/2897 (multi-core), and Nothing Phone 2a attaining 1117 (single-core)/2584 (multi-core). Notably, all devices feature UFS 2.2 storage solutions for swift data handling.

iQOO Z9 5G vs Poco X6 vs Nothing Phone 2a: Software updates

Nothing and Poco have promised that their phones will get three Android version upgrades and four years of security patch updates. iQOO, on the other hand, has promised to offer two Android version upgrades and three years of security updates.

iQOO Z9 5G vs Poco X6 vs Nothing Phone 2a: Battery, charging

Battery Battle: Poco X6 vs iQOO Z9 5G vs Nothing Phone 2a! Poco X6 boasts a robust 5,100mAh battery with 67W charging support, while iQOO Z9 5G features a 5,000mAh battery with 44W fast charging. Additionally, both Poco X6 and iQOO Z9 5G come bundled with fast chargers. On the other hand, the Nothing Phone 2a houses a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging support. Choose the combination of battery capacity and charging speed that suits your needs!

iQOO Z9 5G vs Poco X6 vs Nothing Phone 2a: Camera

Camera Clash: iQOO Z9’s 50MP Primary + 2MP Macro, Nothing Phone 2a’s 50MP Primary + 50MP Ultra-Wide, and Poco X6’s 64MP Primary + 8MP Ultra-Wide + 2MP Macro. Capture Moments in High Resolution and with OIS in the iQOO Z9 and Nothing Phone 2a, while the Poco X6 Offers a 64MP Main Shooter. Selfies Impress with 16MP on iQOO Z9 and Poco X6, while Nothing Phone 2a Takes the Lead with a 32MP Front Camera. Choose Your Ideal Shooting Companion!

Realme 12 5G, Realme 12+ 5G price in India: 

Realme debuts the Realme 12 5G series in India starting at ₹16,999, intensifying competition against Samsung, Motorola, and Xiaomi in the sub-₹25,000 segment. Featuring Realme UI 5.0 on Android 14, the Realme 12 5G and Realme 12+ Plus promise 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches. Both smartphones are available for purchase from 3 pm today through Flipkart or Realme.com. Additionally, customers can enjoy a ₹1,000 instant discount when using SBI, HDFC, or ICICI bank cards for their purchase.

Realme 12+ 5G specifications: 

The Realme 12+ 5G showcases a 6.67-inch AMOLED display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2000 nits. It introduces the Smart Rainwater Touch functionality, enhancing user experience during rainy weather or with wet hands. Under the hood, the smartphone runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, utilizing the TSMC 6nm process and the Mali-G68 GPU for graphics-intensive tasks.In terms of camera capabilities, the Realme 12+ 5G boasts a 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary sensor with OIS and EIS support, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens, a 2MP portrait sensor, and a 16MP front-facing shooter.The device houses a 5,000mAh battery with fast-charging capabilities via a 67W SUPERVOOC charger. It also offers IP54 dust and water resistance, providing protection against splashes.On the other hand, the Realme 12 5G shares the same 5,000mAh battery capacity but supports 45W SUPERVOOC fast charging.

Essentials Category (Fresh, FMCG, Staples, Pharma):

In CY 2023, udaan experienced an impressive surge in the Essentials category, with a remarkable repeat purchase rate of over 90%, demonstrating its strong retailer partnerships. The platform shipped around 504 million biscuit packets, 437 million units of Personal Care products, and approximately 251 million beverage units. Ready-to-eat products, including 87 million noodle packets and 15 million beverage units, were also popular. Moreover, udaan sold approximately 72 million Namkeen items and 50 million coffee packets during this period. Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana displayed the highest demand for these products. In terms of weight, udaan shipped over 9.6 Lac tonnes of Food products (including staples and FMCG) in CY 2023. This encompassed 7.9 lakh tonnes of staples, comprising 4.3 lakh tonnes of sugar & oil, and over 3.6 lakh tonnes of rice, pulses, and flours. The primary demand for these food products stemmed from Karnataka, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Telangana. Additionally, udaan shipped over 1.7 lac tonnes of FMCG products, with significant orders originating from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana.

Discretionary Category (Electronics, General Merchandise, Lifestyle):

In CY 2023, udaan fulfilled 1.3 million orders in its Electronics Category, shipping over 31 million products. This included 21 million+ accessories, 7.5 million consumer electronics, and 2.5 million mobile handsets. Significant demand for electronics products stemmed from Karnataka, Assam, and Bihar. In the General Merchandise & Hardware category, retailers ordered over 7.5 million products, including 4.7 million Plastic products, Appliances & Cookware items, 1.7 million Metal utensils, and 1 million Cycles, Luggage, Toys & Baby Care products. The highest demand for General Merchandise items came from Karnataka, Assam, and Bihar. udaan’s Lifestyle Category facilitated the shipping of over 19 million products, serving 1 million orders, with Bihar, UP, Assam, Karnataka, Odisha, and Maharashtra showing the highest demand for Clothing, Accessories, and Footwear.

Sellers who did business worth Rs 1 Crore each:

During CY 2023, udaan witnessed 900 sellers reaching the milestone of selling INR 1 crore worth of products on its platform. Among them, 700 sellers were from the Essentials Category and 200 were from the Discretionary Category. Additionally, nearly 600 sellers achieved sales exceeding INR 2 crore, with approximately 500 sellers belonging to the Essentials Category and 100 to the Discretionary Category.

Vaibhav Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of udaan, said, “udaan remains committed to its core philosophy of empowering small businesses of Bharat, who in turn cater to the mass-market, by leveraging the power of technology. The large volume of orders and a significantly higher repeat purchase rate highlights the preference udaan enjoys among its retailer partners. This has been made possible by our single-minded focus on customer service excellence while leveraging our robust and super-efficient supply chain network spread across the length and breadth of the country. Encouraged by our solid performance, we will continue to work towards strengthening our market position and capitalise on the huge USD 150 Bn opportunity that the Indian eB2B market offers.”

In CY 2023 udaan raised USD 340 Mn Series E financing to further strengthen customer experience, market penetration, and strategic vendor partnerships. The funds will also be utilised to reinforce long-term capabilities of supply-chain and credit, with the sole objective of building a sustainable business to serve the needs of millions of shopkeepers and kiranas across the country.