Author: News Desk

Tata.ev, the electric mobility arm of Tata Motors, has partnered with mobile charging solutions provider Hopcharge to launch doorstep EV charging services across the National Capital Region (NCR). This initiative introduces on-demand mobile charging vans that can be booked by EV owners to charge their vehicles at their location instead of visiting a public station. The service aims to address a key barrier to electric vehicle adoption in urban settings, where many residents, especially those living in apartments or rented homes, lack dedicated parking or access to home chargers. Under the partnership, Hopcharge will deploy fast-charging vans in areas including Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad…

India is not facing an immediate energy shortage even as geopolitical tensions in West Asia escalate, according to Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri. The government has assured that the country’s strategic crude oil reserves and current stockpiles are adequate to meet domestic demand in the near term. Addressing concerns around potential disruptions in oil supplies due to the conflict, the minister emphasised that India maintains substantial inventory levels across its storage facilities and has contingency plans to manage any short-term volatility in crude inflows. He reiterated that India continues to monitor global energy markets closely and is coordinating with producers and trade partners…

The ongoing Middle East conflict has begun to choke supply chains, affecting exporters at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai, where more than 1,000 export containers are currently stranded, officials and traders say. Many of the containers carry perishable agricultural produce, including onions, grapes, papaya, bananas and other fruits and vegetables destined for Gulf countries via trans-shipment hubs such as Dubai, but exports have stalled as shipping routes and market operations face disruption. Among the backlog, around 150 refrigerated containers carrying roughly 5,400 tonnes of onions from Nashik are awaiting shipment, while additional containers have reached Gulf ports but remain stuck there due to paused operations. Exporters warn that mounting storage and refrigeration costs, often running into…

The United Arab Emirates has activated dedicated safe air corridors in coordination with neighbouring Gulf states and aviation authorities, allowing up to 48 flights per hour to operate safely despite ongoing regional tensions. According to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, the corridors enable emergency and limited flight operations while prioritising safety and airspace security. Since 1 March 2026, nearly 17,500 passengers have been transported on about 60 flights, with plans to increase operations as conditions evolve. The initiative was developed in partnership with GCC civil aviation authorities and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to balance travel continuity with rigorous safety protocols. Passengers are advised to travel only if…

Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the second son of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has surfaced as the leading candidate to succeed his father as Iran’s next Supreme Leader, according to reports citing Iran’s Assembly of Experts. His potential elevation comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. Born in 1969, Mojtaba has long wielded influence within Iran’s security and political circles despite never holding a prominent public office. He reportedly served in the Iranian armed forces during the Iran–Iraq War and has deep ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has been instrumental in shaping his political…

The government has introduced a new electric vehicle technology to strengthen domestic production of critical EV components. On Monday, a 30 kW Wide Band Gap (WBG) Integrated Drive System (IDS) was launched at IIT Madras, part of efforts to advance India’s capabilities in power electronics, reported IANS. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Thiruvananthapuram, in collaboration with IIT Madras and Lucas TVS under the National Mission on Power Electronics Technology (NaMPET), the system is designed for India’s growing electric passenger vehicle segment, including compact cars and shared mobility fleets, according to the Ministry of Electronics and…

India’s first hydrogen-powered train completed a successful trial run in Haryana on Tuesday, marking a milestone for eco-friendly rail travel. The train departed from Jind railway station at 8.30 am, travelled towards Lalit Khera, then turned back, covering a total of 20 kilometres. Equipped with eight coaches, the train reached a top speed of 70 kmph during the run. Railway officials, loco pilots, and RPF personnel were on board to monitor operations and safety. The trial is part of an ongoing testing phase scheduled to continue over the next week. The hydrogen train is being tested for performance, technical systems,…

The Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework (KIRF) 2025 placed Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) at the top of the University category. Rajagiri College of Social Sciences led the Arts and Science colleges, while College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram (CET) secured the top spot in the Engineering rankings. The results were announced by Higher Education Minister R. Bindu at a press conference in Thrissur on Monday. CUSAT earned 87.346 points, followed by Mahatma Gandhi University with 82.288 points and Calicut University with 72.858 points. All 11 participating universities were deemed eligible for ranking this year. Kerala University, which was ranked fifth…

At the ABP Ideas of India Summit, Shashi Tharoor highlighted the significant presence of private-public partnerships in Kerala, pointing to the William International Seaport Project in his own constituency. Though it began operations in December 2024, construction had been underway for nearly a decade. He noted that PPPs, where the state provides land and the private sector brings capital and expertise, are now becoming widespread across India. Recalling his visit to Vizhinjam Port, Tharoor shared a striking example of community involvement. He described seeing a young girl, the daughter of a fisherman, operating one of the world’s largest cranes from…

The Indian government is set to introduce a new point-based driving licence system aimed at curbing traffic violations and improving road safety. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the initiative at the National Conclave for Road Safety, highlighting that India experiences nearly five lakh accidents annually, causing 1.8 lakh deaths, mostly among young adults aged 18-45. Under this system, drivers will accumulate penalty points for traffic offenses. Exceeding the point limit could result in a six-month licence suspension, while chronic offenders risk permanent cancellation. The framework targets reckless driving behaviors such as overspeeding, drunk driving, mobile phone use while driving, and…