Author: News Desk

The government of Bangladesh has decided to shut three land ports along the India-Bangladesh border, citing financial strain and declining cross-border trade. The ports affected are Chilahati in Nilphamari, Daulatganj in Chuadanga, and Tegamukh in Rangamati. Operations at Balla land port in Habiganj have also been suspended. Decision from the Advisory Council The closures were finalized during a meeting of the Advisory Council led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. Following the meeting, his press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, announced the decision to the media. According to Alam, the ports had already been inactive for some time, making their maintenance costly and…

Indian Railways reported its highest-ever monthly freight earnings of ₹14,100 crore in August, signaling strong momentum in cargo movement even as global trade headwinds persist. Freight volumes climbed to 130.9 million tonnes, an 8.5% increase from 120.6 million tonnes in the same month last year. Growth was driven by coal (up 9%), finished steel (22%), fertilizers, and miscellaneous goods (31%). While mineral oil, domestic containers, and export-import containers grew at a slower pace, the broader mix reflected healthy diversification. In FY26 so far, cumulative freight loading has risen 3.1% year-on-year to 673.6 million tonnes. During the April–June quarter, volumes grew…

The Pakistan government has approved the transfer of management of Islamabad International Airport to the United Arab Emirates. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions (CCoIGCT), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar. Government-to-Government Model The committee agreed to finalize arrangements with the UAE under a government-to-government framework. A negotiation committee will now be formed, led by the prime minister’s advisor on privatisation and including representatives from the ministries of defence, finance, law and justice, and privatisation. Goal of the Agreement According to officials, the transfer of…

The Karnataka High Court has ordered Byju Raveendran, founder of embattled edtech firm Byju’s, not to sell, transfer, or encumber his assets. The interim injunction came in response to a petition filed by Qatar Holdings LLC, which is seeking to enforce a $235 million arbitral award in India. Background of the Dispute The case traces back to September 2022, when Qatar Holdings, a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority, lent $150 million to Byju’s Investments Pte Ltd (BIPL). The loan was personally guaranteed by Raveendran and intended to fund the acquisition of shares in Aakash Educational Services Ltd. Alleged Violation…

The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) has postponed its much-anticipated “India Weekend” in New York, originally scheduled for September 12–14 at the Lincoln Center. The decision was attributed to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to a statement on the NMACC website. Organizers stressed this was not a cancellation but a temporary pause, promising the event would take place at a later date. What Was Planned Nita Ambani, wife of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, was set to host the three-day showcase. Highlights included a culinary presentation by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna and a fashion show by designer Manish Malhotra. The festival was designed…

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India is engaged in deep negotiations with Australia to construct one million homes, a project valued at approximately $500 billion, a substantial scale that underscores India’s expanding international role in infrastructure development. The initiative, revealed at a CII event in Mumbai, also involves securing financial backing from the UAE to help catalyze the venture. Under the proposed framework, Indian workers would be sent to Australia for training in local construction standards, ensuring the homes meet Australian regulations and quality norms. While specific project locations and India’s operational role remain under wraps, the endeavor showcases a forward-thinking integration of capacity-building and global…

India and Japan are preparing for a landmark collaboration with the Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) mission, a joint lunar project designed to unlock the secrets of the Moon’s south pole. Building on the legacy of India’s successful Chandrayaan program, the mission received official approval in March 2025. It will feature an ISRO-developed lander carrying a Japan-built rover weighing nearly 250 kg — far more advanced and capable than Chandrayaan-3’s rover. Scheduled to launch aboard JAXA’s H3-24L rocket, Chandrayaan-5 will target the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar south pole, areas thought to harbor water and ice deposits that are vital for future…

Reliance is building one of the world’s largest solar parks in Kutch, Gujarat, spanning 550,000 acres, nearly three times the size of Singapore. Announced at the company’s 2025 AGM, Chairman Mukesh Ambani revealed that the project could meet close to 10% of India’s electricity demand within the next 10 years. At peak, the site will deploy 55 MW of solar modules and 150 MWh of battery containers every day, making it one of the fastest-growing solar installations globally. It will also integrate with Reliance’s marine and land infrastructure at Jamnagar and Kandla for large-scale solar and hydrogen output. The vision…

Legendary investor Warren Buffett continues to surprise people with how he maintains sharpness, energy, and a cheerful outlook despite his unusual daily habits. While most billionaires chase diets, fitness routines, or longevity hacks, Buffett seems to thrive on the exact opposite, living more like a carefree child than a health-conscious adult. Eating Like a Six-Year-Old Buffett once joked that he modeled his diet after the group with the lowest mortality rate—six-year-olds. His meals are calorie-heavy and far from what nutritionists would recommend, yet he credits this approach for keeping him content and productive. A Coke a Day, or Five A…

Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s first tempered glass manufacturing facility in Noida on Saturday. The plant has been set up by Optiemus Infracom in partnership with US-based Corning, a leading materials technology company. Partnership with Corning for Mobile Glass Production The factory will produce tempered glass used as protective layers on mobile phone screens. Vaishnaw said that by the end of this year, production of “covered glass” with Corning’s technology will also begin at the facility. He called Optiemus “a new gem” in the country’s fast-growing electronics ecosystem. Investment and Capacity Plans Optiemus has invested ₹70…