Vistara completes merger with Air India: With cabin mood lights and selfies The change of guard was visible at the check-in counters at the airport. Long queues near the airline's check-in counters prompted the Vistara staff to seek assistance from team Air India As boarding gates closed at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and final passenger calls were made, flyers settled into their aubergine-coloured seats. Captain Adarsh Mohan informed passengers that the aircraft under the Vistara brand was being piloted by him for “one last time”. The caveat was necessary as the 10-year-old brand Vistara, having merged with Air India, was flying into the sunset on Monday. The announcement by Captain Adarsh Mohan prompted some of the young flyers to click photographs of the cabin with dim purple-orange mood lights. Selfies on the plane were also taken. On this special day, the menu featured a special complimentary dessert. Alongside its usual meals and beverages, the flight crew served a strawberry pastry topped with vanilla sauce as a parting gesture. ©SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

Most consecutive wins for India in T20Is (including Super Over wins) 12 Nov 2021 - Feb 2022 12 Dec 2023 - June 2024 11 July 2024 - Nov 2024 - streak ended today Pace vs spin in South Africa innings Pace: 1/86 in 10 overs (ER 8.60) Spin: 6/40 in 9 overs (ER 4.44) ©SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

Toyota to ramp up China production to bring sales, production more closer The plan, which has not been previously reported, represents a strategic pivot by the world's top selling automaker in the world's largest car market Toyota aims to make at least 2.5 million vehicles a year in China by 2030, three people said, an overhaul that will see it bring its Chinese sales and production operations closer together and allow local executives a freer hand in development.  The plan, which has not been previously reported, represents a strategic pivot by the world's top selling automaker in the world's largest car market, underlining its ambition to claw back business lost to BYD and other local players in recent years. Toyota's strategy is in contrast to that of other global automakers, including Japanese ones, that are either scaling back or pulling out of China. ©SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

Adani Power further cuts Bangladesh power supply over payment dispute Late on Thursday, supply was further reduced to about 520 MW, according to Power Grid Bangladesh data and an official with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) India's Adani Power has further reduced electricity supply to neighbouring Bangladesh as it seeks to recover more than $800 million in dues, according to data from Bangladesh's grid operator and two sources familiar with the move. Adani Power, which exports power to Dhaka from its dedicated 1,600 megawatt (MW) Godda plant in eastern India's Jharkhand state, had reduced supply this month to 700 MW-750 MW from around 1,400-1,500 MW in early August. Late on Thursday, supply was further reduced to about 520 MW, according to Power Grid Bangladesh data and an official with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). ©SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

Qualcomm advances on smartphone market revival, Chinese handset launches Demand has been especially positive in major market China, from which Qualcomm gets nearly half its revenue, thanks to new smartphone launches by brands such as Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo Qualcomm shares rose 4 per cent on Thursday after the chip designer's strong quarterly revenue forecast fanned investor optimism about a China-led recovery in the smartphone market.  The company, the biggest supplier of smartphone chips, will add around $8 billion to its market value, if the gains hold.  It forecast both first-quarter sales and adjusted profit above market estimates on Wednesday, signaling the smartphone market was picking up after a tough 2023 as consumers upgrade devices for AI apps such as chatbots and image generators.  Demand has been especially positive in major market China, from which Qualcomm gets nearly half its revenue, thanks to new smartphone launches by brands such as Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo. ©SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

Kamala Harris calls Donald Trump, congratulates him on his victory in polls Trump won the US presidential election for a second term, handing a shock defeat to Harris Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday conceded defeat in the US presidential election as she called up President-elect Donald Trump and congratulated on his victory. Trump won the US presidential election for a second term, handing a shock defeat to Harris, in one of the most remarkable comebacks in American electoral history after he was evicted from power four years back. Harris "called President-elect Trump to congratulate him on winning the 2024 presidential election," CNN reported, quoting an official in Harris' team. She discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans, it said. ©SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR

SHIRSENDU KARMAKAR