New Delhi, (IANS): The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Monday announced the ‘5G Innovation Hackathon 2025’, a six-month initiative aimed at accelerating the development of innovative 5G-powered solutions to address societal and industrial challenges.Open to students, startups and professionals, the programme provides mentorship, funding, and access to over 100 5G Use Case Labs, enabling participants to transform visionary ideas into scalable technologies, according to the Ministry of Communications.Winners will receive significant rewards, including Rs 5,00,000 for the first place, Rs 3,00,000 for the runner-up, and Rs 1,50,000 for the 2nd runner-up.Also, special mentions will be given for Best Idea and Most Innovative Prototype, each receiving Rs 50,000. Ten labs will also be given Certificates of Appreciation for Best 5G Use case and one Certificate for Best idea from Emerging Institute.The hackathon invites proposals focused on key 5G applications such as AI-driven network maintenance, IoT-enabled solutions, 5G broadcasting, smart health, agriculture, industrial automation,...
Centre launches ‘5G Innovation Hackathon 2025’ to address societal, industrial challenges
realme to launch P3 Ultra & P3 smartphones with cutting-edge chipsets on March 19
New Delhi, (IANS): In an era where smartphones have become an essential part of daily life, performance plays a vital role in shaping the user experience. Whether it’s gaming, multitasking, or professional content creation, users demand devices that offer not just speed but also efficiency, stability, and seamless operation.As consumer expectations continue to rise, brands must push boundaries to deliver next-level performance. Leading this revolution, realme has consistently raised the bar with cutting-edge innovations, bringing flagship-level power to a wider audience.By making premium technology more accessible, realme empowers users to enjoy both powerful daily performance and exceptional gaming capabilities.With the upcoming launch of the realme P3 Ultra 5G and realme P3 5G, the brand is once again redefining smartphone performance, bringing unprecedented power to users. These smartphones introduce groundbreaking advancements, making them the most powerful smartphones in their segment.The realme P3 Ultra 5G debuts as the world’s first smartphone powered by the MediaTek Dimensity...
World’s first 5G-A region in Mobile AI Era launched

This month, at the Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit 18th edition in Dubai, the world’s first 5G-A region in the mobile AI era was launched. Under the theme ‘Global. Regional. Digital.’ the Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit spotlit the industry’s main trends, including 5G, cloud, data centers, and digitilisationThe launch followed a panel discussion, in which a group of ten industry professionals gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities in advancing 5G technology in the Middle East. Key points included the need for cross-industry collaboration, open APIs, and spectrum utilisation.The panelists included:Fayez Abu Awad, Policy Director, MENA, GSMAKhalid Al Awadi, Manager, Broadcasting and Space Services, TDRA UAEHasan Alshemeili, Head of Technology Planning, duDr. Ayman Elnashar, VP of Technology Strategy, Architecture & Innovation, e&Ramy Boctor, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone QatarStelios Savvides, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone OmanHicham Siblini, Chief Technology and Infrastructure Officer, Ooredoo QatarAllen Tang, President of ICT Marketing & Solution Sales...
VMO2 launches UK’s first 5G standalone small cells in Birmingham

The installments will boost connectivity for the city’s residentsVirgin Media O2 (VMO2) has introduced the UK’s first 5G standalone (SA) small cells in Birmingham, boosting mobile connectivity in some of the city’s busiest areas, it claimed in a press release this week. These new 5G small cells, installed on street furniture around Broad Street and Fleet Street, are designed to improve mobile capacity where demand is highest.Initial performance data suggests that the new 5G SA cells provide a smoother mobile experience, helping customers with activities like browsing and streaming.Unlike large cell towers, the small units can be fitted onto existing structures to bring focused coverage improvements in urban spaces. This latest installation adds to Virgin Media O2’s ongoing rollout of small cells across the country.The 5G standalone network, launched by Virgin Media O2 earlier this year, now covers over 300 towns and cities. Unlike older 4G and 5G networks, standalone 5G offers faster speeds and lower delay times, giving O2 customers better,faster and more reliable connections at no...
Elon Musk arrives in Indonesia, to launch satellite internet service Starlink
New Delhi, (IANS) Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Sunday arrived in Indonesia where he aims to launch his satellite-based internet service Starlink.Musk, who is visiting Indonesia for the first time, is scheduled to launch Starlink alongside the country's President Joko Widodo."I had the opportunity to pick up Elon at the Airport this morning, then discuss some of his agendas while he's here and of course some important collaborations. One of them is the inauguration of Starlink internet service capable of reaching all corners of Indonesia," Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan wrote on his official Instagram account."Through the availability of internet access throughout the province, the digitalisation in the implementation of healthcare and education in Indonesia can continue to improve," he added.The minister also mentioned that the tech billionaire will also be speaking at the World Water Forum, which will be held in Bali.Earlier this month, Starlink warned users of a "degraded service" as the biggest geomagnetic storm struck the Earth due to...
Japan to launch new banknotes on July 3

Japan will start issuing new banknotes on the 3rd of July next month. Local media reported that it is the world’s first use of cutting-edge holography that makes the portraits of historic figures appear to rotate in 3D. This new technology will allow visually impaired people to feel and discern which banknote they are holding. Tactile marks for the visually impaired will also make them recognizable to touch. By the end of March next year, nearly 7.5 billion new banknotes will have been printed. Existing banknotes will remain valid after the introduction of the new banknotes. Japan to launch new banknotes on July...
Cisco launches $1bn fund for AI startups

Cisco has made over 20 AI-focused investments and acquisitions in the last several yearsCisco has announced that it has launched a $1 billion fund to invest in AI startups in a push to become more dominant in the AI sphere.At the company’s “Cisco Live” event in Las Vegas, CEO Chuck Robbins said that despite a billion-dollar investment being considered small in the AI world, “part of our investment thesis is that there are unique co-development activities that we can enter into with [startups] to bring you more innovative solutions and help you navigate the AI transition.”The firm also say that the investment aligns with the company strategy “to connect and protect the AI era.”According to the press release, related investments in more established AI companies have already begun, with almost $200 million having been invested in companies including:– Mistral AI, which specialises in generative artificial intelligence– Scale AI, which provides end-to-end platform providing training and validation for AI applications– Cohere, which provides security-focused frontier large language models...
WHO Launches New ‘Investment Round’ Aiming To Raise USD 7 Bn To Tackle Global Challenges
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new ‘Investment Round’ aiming to raise 7 billion dollars of funds to support countries to tackle challenges like climate change, displacement, poverty and inequality. In a social media post, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the world is facing a difficult time with multiple challenges. He said the Investment Round aims to mobilize 7 billion dollars over four years to support countries to respond to these challenges.The Investment Round is the result of recommendations by the WHO Working Group on Sustainable Financing and was approved at the 154th Meeting of the WHO Executive Board in January 2024. WHO Launches New ‘Investment Round’ Aiming To Raise USD 7 Bn To Tackle Global Challeng...
Audi launches two new cars under its Bold Edition in India
New Delhi, May 10 (IANS): German luxury car manufacturer Audi on Friday launched two new cars under its Bold Edition -- Q3 and Q3 Sportback, in India.The Audi Q3 comes at a price of Rs 54,65,000 (ex-showroom) in five colours -- Glacier White, Nano Grey, Mythos Black Navarra Blue & Pulse Orange, while the Audi Q3 Sportback is priced at Rs 55,71,000 (ex-showroom) and comes in Glacier White, Daytona Grey, Mythos Black, Progressive Red and Navarra Blue colour options."A perfect blend of luxury, performance and versatility, both these models are now being offered with a Bold Edition -- a more exclusive and sportier variant packed with distinctive styling elements," Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India said in a statement."The Bold Editions are designed for those who want to make a unique statement on the road. With limited units available, we are positive that these will be sold out in no time," he added.Audi's Black styling package for the cars features a striking black design that radiates elegance, which includes a gloss-black grille, black Audi rings in front and rear, black...
Bajaj Auto launches new flagship Pulsar at Rs 1.85 lakh
New Delhi, May 3 (IANS) Two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto on Friday launched the highly anticipated 'Pulsar NS400Z' in the country at Rs 1,85,000 (ex-showroom).The Pulsar NS400Z will be available in four colours -- Glossy Racing Red, Brooklyn Black, Pearl Metallic White, and Pewter Grey."It is the ultimate performance machine that will redefine the codes of sports motorcycling in India. It results from engineering expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a deep understanding of what riders truly desire," Sarang Kanade, President of Motorcycle Business, Bajaj Auto, said in a statement.The new Pulsar comes powered by a 373cc liquid-cooled engine with a 6-speed gearbox, delivering 40 PS power, 35 Nm torque, ride-by-wire electronic throttle, and four ride modes.In addition, the bike comes loaded with an LED projector headlamp, wide tyres, a fully digital colour LCD speedometer with Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, music control, lap timer, and traction control.Moreover, the company said that the new Pulsar NS400Z adapts to any ride with dedicated modes -- Road (smooth acceleration,...
Walmart’s PhonePe launches India mobile app store to rival Google

A general store advertises the use of the PhonePe digital payment system in Mumbai, India. MUST CREDIT: Dhiraj Singh/BloombergWalmart Inc.-owned fintech PhonePe Pvt. launched a mobile application store for consumers in India, the world’s biggest market for downloads. The Android-based store is called Indus Appstore, PhonePe said in a statement Wednesday, as it pits the product against Google’s Play Store. The store will have more than 200,000 mobile applications and games in 12 Indian languages. The move comes as PhonePe capitalizes on growing mobile usage in the world’s second-largest smartphone market. The group is also trying to forge partnerships with smartphone makers and expects to be live on most major phone brands by the end of the year, Chief Executive Officer Sameer Nigam told reporters in New Delhi. Developers will not have to pay any application listing fee until April 2025 and can use any third-party payment gateway of their choice, the release said. PhonePe Group also runs a payments business that competes with Ant Group-backed Paytm and Google’s GPay.Walmart’s PhonePe...
Walmart’s PhonePe launches India mobile app store to rival Google

A general store advertises the use of the PhonePe digital payment system in Mumbai, India. MUST CREDIT: Dhiraj Singh/BloombergFeb. 21, 2024– Walmart Inc.-owned fintech PhonePe Pvt. launched a mobile application store for consumers in India, the world’s biggest market for downloads.The Android-based store is called Indus Appstore, PhonePe said in a statement Wednesday, as it pits the product against Google’s Play Store. The store will have more than 200,000 mobile applications and games in 12 Indian languages.The move comes as PhonePe capitalizes on growing mobile usage in the world’s second-largest smartphone market.The group is also trying to forge partnerships with smartphone makers and expects to be live on most major phone brands by the end of the year, Chief Executive Officer Sameer Nigam told reporters in New Delhi.Developers will not have to pay any application listing fee until April 2025 and can use any third-party payment gateway of their choice, the release said.PhonePe Group also runs a payments business that competes with Ant Group-backed Paytm and Google’s GPay. Walmart’s...
From iPhone 14 to Watch Series 8: Here's what you can expect from Apple September event
AUG 24, 2022 September is going to be a great month for all tech lovers out there as Apple is all set to hold its traditional annual event. And guess what? The tech giant is expected to launch at least 4 new iPhones -- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max (not Mini), iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Not only this but Apple is also planning to come up with Apple Watch Series 8 and AirPods Pro 2. While the iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8 will likely be the headline product unveilings at Apple's September event, there could be other announcements, including an iOS 16 release date and more, MacRumors reported. Let's read in detail about the gadgets that Apple might launch at September event. * iPhone 14 series According to MacRumors, the standard iPhone 14 models are expected to feature 50 percent more memory, improved battery life, an improved Ultra Wide camera, and an upgraded front-facing camera with autofocus, while the iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to feature "pill and hole-punch" shaped cutouts instead of the notch, the A16 chip, a 48-megapixel Wide camera, and a slightly taller display...
Govt to launch 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organisations

The centre proposes to invest Rs1,500 crore on farmer cooperatives as part of its initiatives to bring about a massive shift in the way agriculture produce is marketed. This is part of the government’s strategy to ensure reasonable income to farmers so as to double farmers’ income by 2022.
The government will soon register 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in order to promote cooperative farming, union minister for agriculture and farmers’ welfare, rural development and panchayati raj, Narendra Singh Tomar, has said.
Addressing the 91st annual general meeting of the ICAR Society in New Delhi on Thursday, the minister said budgetary provision has been made to provide each FPO a sum of Rs15 lakh for all farming related activities, ranging from sowing, harvesting to distribution and marketing.
Tomar, who is also president of the ICAR Society, said under the directions of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an ambitious nationwide scheme has been launched to vaccinate 530 million cattle and goats under mission mode. Besides, a target has been set for doubling of fisheries...
Govt launches Vigyan Jyoti, GATI, helpline number & web portal for women in science

New Delhi: On International Women’s Day (8 March), a helpline number was launched for women students, researchers, entrepreneurs and scientists. At present, the helpline will provide handholding to women scientists in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and will be available during office hours (09:30 am to 05:30 pm) during working days.
The Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Science and Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan said, “It is important that women in science explore the opportunities and take benefits of the schemes available for them. All the students and researchers can get information about the schemes on one dedicated number. This will also help them to pursue their career and if they have issues regarding fellowships, they can get guidance from here.”
Vardhan also said that as a society we must move from tokenism to totalism, especially when it comes to creating a gender parity culture in Indian science. “The recent special focus on women empowerment by the government has resulted in various special schemes to attract...
HIL Launches online customer payment portal with Union Bank of India

New Delhi: Keeping pace with the Government’s vision of ‘Digital India’, HIL (India) Limited, a CPSE under the Ministry of Chemical & Fertilizers, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, in association with Union Bank of India, announced that it has launched a customer payment portal to collect payment through various online modes for faster and smoother collection of dues.
This portal will help customers of HIL to pay dues in a quick and convenient manner by any debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, or online wallet from their homes or offices. This new initiative will provide a one-step platform facilitating online payment, data maintenance, customized MIS reports, and seamless reconciliation of financial records, the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers stated in a Press communication.
The portal was launched in New Delhi by S.P. Mohanty, Chairman and Managing Director; Anjan Banerjee, Director (Finance) of HIL; RK Jaglan, Head, Government Business Department; and GK Sudhakar Rao, Regional Head (Delhi South) of Union Bank of India. Source:https:/...
David Beckham launches global grooming brand

Danielle Wightman-Stone: David Beckham has followed in the footsteps of his wife Victoria Beckham and launched a beauty line, House 99, a men’s grooming range created in partnership with L’Oréal Luxe aimed at providing “all the tools men need to experiment with their look in order to express their own evolving style and unique identity”.
The beauty brand launched just days after the fashion label he part owns, Kent and Curwen showed at London Fashion Week Men’s, and aims to takes a holistic approach to grooming, merging British barbershop culture and style with hair, skin, beard and tattoo creativity for every man’s next look.
“I’m so excited to finally share House 99 with everyone around the world! For me, grooming is not only about how you look, but how you feel. It’s about being comfortable, trying new things and shaping your next look,” explains Beckham. “I created House 99 to give people the inspiration as well as the right products to experiment and feel completely at home doing so. House 99 is here to support men, to give them the tools they need to create whatever...
LG Innotek Introduces the Quick Wireless Charging Pad
BY YEON CHOUL-WOONG (BRUCEYEON@KOREAITTIMES.COM): Seoul, Korea, OCT. 12th, 2016 – LG Innotek announced the commercialization of a 15 W (Watt) wireless charging pad for the first time in the world. This product allows you to charge your smartphone as fast as when using a wired charging module. The wireless charging pad is device supplies electric power to smartphone in a slim pad form. If you put the smartphone on the pad, make sure that your phone supports wireless charging; the pad starts to charge battery. The product will be sold in North America, Europe, and Australia in the middle of this month by the global smartphone accessory manufacturer. The 15 W wireless charging pad’s charging speed is three times faster than an existing 5 W wireless charging module. It can charge a completely depleted battery to the level of 50% within 30 minutes because it supplies 15W power to smartphone battery equal to wired quick charger. Also, this product boasts high compatibility and can be used with most of the wireless charging smartphones currently available in the market. It meets the standards...
$7.6-bn TAPI gas pipeline project launched
Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India on Sunday signed launched a $7.6-billion gas transit treaty that would allow the construction of a 1,800-km-long pipeline to transport gas from energy-rich central Asia to energy-starved South Asia. Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari pressed the button initiating a pipe welding process to mark the beginning of work on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. The 1,800-kilometre TAPI pipeline is intended to carry gas from the Caspian Sea in Turkmenistan through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar and end up in the India-Pakistan border town of Fazilka. The project is being funded by the Asian Development bank (ADB). The TAPI pipeline will have a capacity to carry 90 million standard cubic metres a day (mmscmd) gas for a 30-year period. India and Pakistan will get 38 mmscmd each, while the remaining 14 mmscmd will be supplied to Afghanistan. Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony...
India-made 138bhp Ford EcoSport to launch in UK in 2016
Packs a retuned 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine: Ford will launch the revised 2016 Ford EcoSport in the U.K in 2016. Note that the EcoSport sold in the U.K is manufactured and exported from Ford India’s plant in Chennai. The EcoSport sold in the U.K is manufactured and exported from Ford India’s plant in Chennai. The new EcoSport Titanium S variant features the same 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, but it has been slightly retuned to produce 138 bhp, which is 15 bhp more than the outgoing model. It is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox, and is capable of 17.8 km/L. According to Autocar UK, the 0-100 km/h time has improved by 1 second owing to the extra power. The new EcosSport has a retuned steering system, and a suspension lowered by 10 mm, as well as new damper and spring rates. The interior has more sound
insulation added and, as Ford claims, better interior build quality. The new EcoSport Titanium S variant features the same 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, but it has been slightly retuned to produce 138 bhp. The Titanium S trim is expected to feature a rear-view camera as well as an upgraded...