India is planning to establish a National Hydrocarbon Technology Hub to strengthen research and development (R&D) in the oil and gas industry and speed up the commercialisation of new technologies, Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Joint Secretary Alok Tripathi said on Wednesday. Speaking on the sidelines of the 29th Energy Technology Meet (ETM) 2026 in Goa, Tripathi said the proposed hub would create a nationally coordinated research ecosystem to help bring technologies developed within the sector into practical use.
The event attracted more than 2,500 participants and approximately 250 speakers. An accompanying exhibition showcased innovations across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas industry, alongside emerging green-energy solutions such as compressed biogas. Tripathi said the meet's theme, “From Research to Commercialization,” underlined the importance of turning scientific research into commercially viable technologies that can address real-world industry requirements.
He also highlighted the ministry's partnerships with academic institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), to strengthen research capabilities and provide greater academic support to the sector. As part of these efforts, the ministry plans to sponsor up to 100 PhD scholars conducting research in oil and gas. The initiative is intended to allow researchers to dedicate more time to their work and help develop a stronger academic research network focused on industry challenges over the next five years.
According to Tripathi, the Energy Technology Meet also offered international technology providers an opportunity to understand India's policy reforms and investment prospects in the petroleum and natural gas sector. On refining operations, he said Indian oil companies were increasingly prioritising sustainability alongside operational efficiency. Companies are collaborating with international technology providers to adopt energy-saving solutions while also developing advanced technologies domestically.
Tripathi stressed that India wanted to move beyond the conventional model in which foreign companies supply technology and Indian companies purchase it. Instead, the country aims to build long-term partnerships that encourage joint development, knowledge sharing and greater domestic technological capabilities.
He added that developing technologies within India could lower costs and potentially deliver savings to consumers. The proposed National Hydrocarbon Technology Hub, combined with academic partnerships and research funding, is expected to support the country's broader ambition to strengthen indigenous innovation and improve the competitiveness of its oil and gas industry.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering lifting sanctions on Russia’s Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), a state-backed investment institution that was targeted by former President Joe Biden following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The reported review signals a possible shift in Washington’s approach to Russia as the Trump administration explores diplomatic and economic avenues to improve relations with Moscow and advance negotiations over the war in Ukraine.
The RDIF was sanctioned by the Biden administration in 2022 as part of a broader campaign to restrict Russia’s access to international finance. US officials viewed the fund as closely connected to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government and described it as a potential source of financial support for the Kremlin’s network of associates. The sanctions targeted the fund, its management company and its chief executive, Kirill Dmitriev, limiting their ability to conduct transactions involving the US financial system.
Dmitriev has since played a prominent role in economic discussions between Russian and American representatives. His involvement in diplomatic contacts has brought renewed attention to the investment fund as Washington considers possible changes to its Russia policy. The Trump administration’s review reflects an approach that places greater emphasis on negotiations and the possibility of using economic incentives to encourage cooperation. Supporters of this strategy argue that selective sanctions relief could create opportunities for progress, while critics warn that easing restrictions without clear commitments from Moscow could weaken Western leverage.
Removing sanctions on RDIF could allow the institution to pursue investment opportunities and strengthen its engagement with international financial partners. It could also carry wider political significance by signalling Washington’s willingness to reconsider some of the economic measures introduced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The potential move raises concerns for Ukraine and its allies, who have supported maintaining economic pressure on Moscow while diplomatic efforts continue. They could view sanctions relief as premature if it is not accompanied by concrete progress towards ending the conflict. The debate also highlights differences over the effectiveness of sanctions as a foreign-policy tool. While restrictions are designed to limit financial resources and increase economic pressure, their long-term impact depends partly on international cooperation and the willingness of targeted governments to negotiate.
The future of the RDIF sanctions will therefore be closely watched as the United States determines how to balance diplomatic engagement with pressure on Russia. As of the reported review, lifting the restrictions remains a possibility rather than a confirmed decision. The outcome could provide an indication of how far the Trump administration is prepared to go in offering economic concessions as part of its efforts to improve relations with Moscow and pursue a settlement to the war in Ukraine.
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Cyclone Arnab has weakened after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, with weather officials expecting the system to lose further intensity as it moves inland. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed four additional teams to Andhra Pradesh to strengthen rescue and relief operations amid concerns over heavy rainfall, coastal damage and flooding. NDRF Inspector General Narendra Singh Bundela said at a press conference in Delhi that the cyclone had been downgraded from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm. According to the assessment shared by officials, the system was expected to weaken further into a cyclonic storm before deteriorating into a deep depression by Wednesday evening.
The additional NDRF teams were sent to Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, with the Indian Air Force transporting personnel to the state. The deployment was undertaken in anticipation of significant impacts along the coastline and to support emergency response efforts. Bundela said the NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and district-level emergency teams were actively working in affected areas. The Andhra Pradesh government has deployed 80 SDRF teams to assist with evacuation, rescue and other emergency operations.
Authorities have also carried out evacuations in Yanam, where rainfall left some residents stranded. According to Bundela, NDRF personnel evacuated 38 people from the area by Tuesday evening. The state government is providing regular updates on casualties, damage and other developments through its State Emergency Operation Centre. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Cyclone Arnab completed its landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, southwest of Yanam, by 8 am on Wednesday, October 28. The storm crossed the coast between 2 am and 8 am, with its centre moving completely over land by the end of that period.
During landfall, the cyclone recorded maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph. At 8:30 am, the system was located over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and the adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. The IMD placed its centre approximately 20 km east-northeast of Narsapur, 40 km southwest of Yanam and 60 km southwest of Kakinada.
The Andhra Pradesh government has placed the state on high alert, with the Chief Minister's Office saying officials are working continuously to protect residents and limit damage to property. Authorities are monitoring vulnerable locations and coordinating emergency response measures as the storm weakens. Although no fatalities had been reported at the time of the announcement, the cyclone's powerful waves and coastal impact have already damaged infrastructure. Severe sea conditions and coastal erosion affected the Uppada coastal road near Kakinada, prompting repair and restoration work to begin. Officials are working to restore connectivity and protect the vulnerable shoreline. Emergency teams remain deployed across affected areas as authorities continue to monitor weather conditions, assess damage and prepare for further rainfall and possible flooding.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday named Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for the 2026 Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh. The party’s Central Election Committee approved his nomination, according to an official statement released from the BJP headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. The by-election is being held to fill the Rajya Sabha seat vacated by former Union Minister L. Murugan, who resigned on October 14, 2026. Murugan’s term in the Upper House was originally scheduled to end on April 2, 2030.
The Election Commission of India announced the by-election schedule on October 22. The official notification was issued on October 26, while November 2 has been set as the deadline for filing nomination papers. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on November 3, and candidates can withdraw their nominations until November 5.
Polling is scheduled for November 12, from 9 am to 4 pm, with counting set to begin at 5 pm on the same day. The Election Commission has stated that the entire electoral process must be completed by November 16. Puri, a former diplomat who later entered politics, currently serves as a Union Cabinet Minister in the central government.
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused certain forces of deliberately undermining the Tata Group, claiming that business leaders are reluctant to speak out against what he described as serious wrongdoing. He vowed that justice would be pursued over the alleged actions. His comments come as a growing dispute over the leadership of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, has reportedly created divisions among trustees and members of its board. Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata challenged a resolution approving the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as Tata Sons chairman. The resolution had been passed at the holding company's board meeting on September 17.
In a post on X, Gandhi alleged that the Tata Group was being systematically damaged and questioned why business leaders had remained silent. He also said that Indian businesses should not be treated as personal assets by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said his party would seek accountability and ensure justice over the alleged wrongdoing. Neither the government nor the Tata Group issued an immediate response to Gandhi's allegations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Adam Hamilton in Kansas, Dan Osborn in Nebraska and Joshua Turek in Iowa are seeking to turn traditionally Republican strongholds into competitive races in the upcoming midterm elections. Jonathan Freedland talks with Rachel Leingang about her reporting across the Midwest and the growing momentum behind progressive populism in the region.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
The Emirati royal is gaining growing influence internationally, with some viewing him as a forward-thinking leader while others liken him to a James Bond antagonist. But who is Sheikh Tahnoon, and what lies behind his rising global profile?
On The Ask on Singapore Today, growing concerns about the returns on AI investments have sparked a sell-off in US technology stocks, pushing the Nasdaq to its biggest single-day decline since June. Daniel Martin spoke with Louise Loo, Head of Asia Economics at Oxford Economics, to discuss whether mounting pressure could lead major technology companies to reduce spending, the potential impact on AI infrastructure companies and semiconductor suppliers, and the implications for Singapore’s investments.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
The documentary You Can See Everything, which explores the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes, founder of the failed biotech company Theranos, has achieved a record-breaking US opening. Its success highlights the public’s lasting fascination with Holmes, who was convicted of fraud. US technology editor Blake Montgomery speaks with Madeleine Finlay about why her story continues to attract attention and whether the Theranos scandal has permanently changed Silicon Valley.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
