Author: News Desk
Indian travellers are driving a sharp jump in tourist arrivals across several overseas destinations this year. Moscow, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and Georgia are all seeing strong double digit growth. At the same time, interest in Azerbaijan and Turkey has dipped because of their support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Moscow is one of the biggest winners. In the first half of 2025, the city welcomed about forty thousand eight hundred visitors from India, which is a rise of about forty percent compared to last year. This makes India the second largest source of travellers to the Russian capital outside…
The Pre-Summit Conference on Safe and Trusted AI for fintech, healthcare, and citizen safety is set to bring policymakers, technologists, researchers, and cybersecurity leaders together in Thiruvananthapuram. Organized by STPI Thiruvananthapuram in collaboration with the ISACA Trivandrum Chapter, the event acts as the curtain-raiser to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and focuses on how India can build an AI ecosystem that is secure, transparent, and aligned with national goals. The conference will be held on 20 November 2025 at Hycinth Hotels, starting at 10 AM. The inauguration will be led by Dr A. Jayathilak, IAS, Chief Secretary of Kerala,…
US President Donald Trump said he plans to move forward with selling advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, calling the kingdom a strong ally and confirming that Riyadh wants the aircraft. Speaking in the Oval Office, he told reporters that the US is prepared to supply the jets, and discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman include a possible order of 48 F-35s along with talks about a wider defence partnership. The F-35, built by Lockheed Martin, is already used or on order by more than 20 countries. Depending on the model, each jet costs between 80 and 110…
India has shipped jet fuel to the US West Coast for the first time, sending a 60,000-metric-ton cargo from Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar refinery to Chevron. The opportunity opened up after a disruption at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery in southern California, which cut supply at the 285,000-barrel-a-day facility in October. The jet fuel cargo left Jamnagar between October 28 and 29, according to Kpler, LSEG data and industry sources cited by Reuters. The shipment is being carried by the Panamax tanker Hafnia Kallang, chartered by Castleton Commodities, and is expected to reach Los Angeles in early December. Chevron has said repairs…
A few weeks before Vladimir Putin arrives in India for the 23rd India–Russia Summit, S Jaishankar travelled to Moscow for talks with Sergey Lavrov. This was already their sixth meeting this year, and the focus was to firm up plans for Putin’s visit and wrap up key agreements, especially around defence and mobility. While Jaishankar was in Moscow, Putin’s long-time adviser Nikolay Patrushev met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi. Their discussion also revolved around strengthening ties. Jaishankar said his regular conversations with Lavrov have helped both sides stay aligned on major regional and global issues. He noted…
Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and IT secretary S Krishnan were in New Delhi for an event where Krishnan announced that the Centre has cleared another set of proposals under the Electronic Component Manufacturing Scheme. This round adds up to Rs 7,712 crore in planned investment. Krishnan said the government approved 17 applications out of 249 in this tranche. One standout detail: it includes the first-ever investment proposal from Jammu and Kashmir. The rest come from states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Among the 17 approvals are companies such as Aequs Consumer Products Private Limited,…
As of 2025, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum holds an estimated personal net worth of $1–2 billion, driven by royal assets, family wealth, and leadership roles within Dubai’s governance ecosystem. Reports highlight his collection of opulent palaces, many featuring expansive courtyards, lakes, gold interiors, and traditional Arabian architecture blended with modern luxury. His passion for the sea is reflected in his ownership of world-class superyachts, including Quattroelle, a 288-foot yacht with pools, helipads, gyms, and lounges. His land fleet is equally impressive, with a mix of hypercars, vintage classics, and off-road beasts, showcasing his love for speed and design. Sheikh Hamdan…
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is exploring a groundbreaking pod-taxi system to connect Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayandar, marking a push toward a futuristic, eco-friendly transport solution. The feasibility study, directed by Maharashtra’s government, follows approval of a similar pod-taxi route for Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). Pods will run on elevated guideways well above city roads, minimizing land usage and avoiding traffic congestion. Plans suggest a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, making the high-capacity system financially viable without heavy government burden. Each pod can carry up to 6 passengers, traveling at speeds of 40 km/h and arriving every 15–30 seconds, according to design specs approved by MMRDA. The elevated tracks…
The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has allocated land parcels to 20 companies on a 99-year lease at Varapatti in Coimbatore district. This move is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the defence manufacturing sector and promote industrial growth in the region. Support for Startups In addition to land allocation, TIDCO plans to construct buildings on 10.5 acres of land at Varapatti. These facilities will be made available on rent to startup companies, providing them with a supportive environment to develop and expand their operations, according to V Vinayagam, senior vice-president at the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial…
As Kerala prepares for its peak tourist season, the Kerala Travel Mart Society (KTMS) has issued a warning about a rise in online hotel-booking frauds. Both domestic and international travelers booking accommodations in destinations such as Kochi and Kumarakom are being targeted. Fraudsters pose as hotel staff, pressuring guests into making additional payments through QR codes or fake links, often threatening cancellations or offering fake upgrades. How Scams Work Scammers contact tourists directly using official-looking emails, fake hotel IDs, or malicious payment links. Many tourists unknowingly transfer money through these channels, falling victim to fraud. KTMS advises travelers to always…