Business - The Purbottar

29 Jul

Tech Leaders Urge White House to Support Pacing Mechanisms for Rapidly Advancing AI

anuprova EditorBusiness

Over 1,100 employees and executives from top artificial intelligence laboratories—including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta—have signed an open letter asking the U.S. government to help build international tools to manage the speed of frontier AI development. Titled "Pacing the Frontier," the petition urges Washington to spearhead an international effort to establish governance and technical mechanisms capable of deliberately slowing progress if automated AI research accelerates beyond human control. The signatories warning focuses heavily on recursive self-improvement, wherein autonomous AI systems design, code, and refine their successors without human oversight, potentially creating risks that outpace existing security safeguards and safety protocols.…

29 Jul

Air India Express waives cargo charges for Assam flood relief shipments

Business BureauBusiness

Air India Express has announced a waiver of cargo charges for the transportation of relief materials to Assam, aiming to support humanitarian efforts in flood-affected areas of the state. The initiative is intended to facilitate faster movement of essential supplies by registered non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and recognised relief agencies engaged in assisting communities impacted by the ongoing floods. According to the airline, the waiver applies to cargo carried on its flights to Guwahati from Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Eligible consignments include food and dry rations, drinking water, medicines, hygiene and sanitation kits, clothing, blankets, tarpaulins and other humanitarian supplies, subject…

29 Jul

Investigation flags systemic animal welfare and hygiene lapses in dairy units across six states

Business BureauBusiness

A first-of-its-kind investigation by animal protection organisationSentient World has documented widespread animal welfare, public health and environmental concerns across more than 100 dairy units in six Indian states, highlighting recurring deficiencies in dairy management and regulatory oversight. Conducted between February 10 and April 15, 2026, the investigation covered dairy operations in Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, ranging from small household farms to large unregulated dairy clusters. The report found that many dairy units were located within 10 to 300 metres of homes and water bodies, raising concerns over environmental contamination and public health. Investigators documented overcrowding, prolonged…

29 Jul

Dreame launches D30 Ultra robot vacuum in India at ₹52,999

Business BureauBusiness

Smart home appliance maker Dreame Technology has expanded its premium product portfolio in India with the launch of the D30 Ultra Robot Vacuum, featuring automated cleaning functions, advanced navigation technology and a starting price of ₹52,999. The device will be available on Amazon immediately, while sales through Dreame India's official website, Croma and select retail stores will begin from August 1. The D30 Ultra comes equipped with 25,000Pa Vormax™ suction, MopExtend™ technology for improved edge cleaning, and a fully automated maintenance station featuring AceCleanDryBoard™ washboard auto-cleaning. The company said the robot vacuum can provide up to 75 days of hands-free…

28 Jul

Air India’s Turnaround May Take Up to a Decade, Says Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran

sunny EditorBusiness

Tata Sons has indicated that Air India’s transformation could take up to 10 years, extending the airline’s earlier turnaround timeline. Chairman N Chandrasekaran shared the update in the company’s annual report released late on Monday. The statement comes as India’s second-largest airline continues to face challenges, including airspace restrictions, rising fuel costs due to the West Asia conflict, and the impact of last year’s fatal aircraft crash. Chandrasekaran said the airline’s revival will require more time due to ongoing supply-chain issues affecting key components, along with the need to modernise legacy systems, reshape organisational culture, upgrade the fleet, and expand…

28 Jul

L&T’s Latest Metals & Minerals Wins Reflect S. N. Subrahmanyan’s Long-Term Strategy

Business BureauBusiness

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured multiple major orders across its Metals & Minerals business, strengthening its presence in mining, steel and non-ferrous metals infrastructure. The projects, spanning iron ore handling, steel plant expansion and zinc processing, reinforce the company's position as a leading engineering and EPC player while reflecting Chairman and Managing Director S. N. Subrahmanyan's long-term strategy of supporting India's industrial growth through diversified engineering capabilities. Commenting on the development, S. N. Subrahmanyan said, "As India accelerates investments in augmenting its Metals & Minerals capacity to support long-term economic growth, L&T remains committed to partnering with the country's…

28 Jul

India Moves Towards Polymer Currency as RBI Plans New Banknote Trials

nanika EditorBanking, Business

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has received approval from the government to issue 1 billion pieces each of ₹10 and ₹20 polymer banknotes for field trials, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed Parliament on Monday. The proposal, submitted by the RBI’s Central Board under Section 25 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, aims to evaluate the performance of polymer banknotes before their regular issuance in these denominations. The government has approved the proposal, and wider circulation will begin after successful completion of the trials. The minister clarified that polymer banknotes will be issued alongside existing…

28 Jul

Global Crude Prices Plummet as Potential U.S.-Iran Diplomatic Breakthrough Eases Supply Fears

anuprova EditorBusiness

Global crude oil prices extended their sharp decline, with Brent crude dropping toward $87 a barrel after tumbling over 9% in recent sessions, as emerging diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran signaled a potential off-ramp to escalating Middle East tensions. The market selloff followed a temporary suspension of U.S. airstrikes and a corresponding pause in Iranian retaliatory attacks, relieving immediate fears of severe, long-term disruptions to Persian Gulf energy infrastructure. Sentiment improved significantly after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that Washington and Tehran were engaged in active discussions aimed at resolving the conflict. However, market analysts caution that…

27 Jul

Heatwaves may pose greater pregnancy risks in Northeast hill states, study finds

Business BureauBusiness

A nationwide study has found that prolonged exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes, with women in India's mountainous regions—including Northeastern states such as Meghalaya, Nagaland and parts of Assam—emerging among the most vulnerable despite traditionally cooler climates. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Research Communications, the study analysed 209,266 births recorded across India between 2015 and 2020. Researchers matched each pregnancy with local heat conditions using the India Heat Index, measuring consecutive "sweltering" days rather than average temperatures. The findings showed that every additional consecutive day of extreme heat during pregnancy increased…

27 Jul

Sustained heat during pregnancy linked to higher newborn health risks in West Bengal: Study

Business BureauBusiness

Prolonged exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes, with women in West Bengal's humid subtropical regions facing a heightened threat of delivering low-birth-weight babies, according to a first-of-its-kind population-scale study conducted across India. The research also found that rural, less-educated and socially vulnerable mothers are the most affected, underscoring the need to prioritise pregnant women in India's heat action plans. The study, Effect of extreme heat stress on adverse pregnancy outcomes in India, analysed 209,266 births recorded between 2015 and 2020 by matching each pregnancy with local heat exposure. Researchers measured consecutive "sweltering"…