Author: News Desk

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…

Amazon’s cloud division, AWS, confirmed on Monday that drone strikes affected its facilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The attacks disrupted power and connectivity at its UAE data centre, following reports of unidentified “objects” striking the facility. The company is also facing wider operational impacts across the region as the Iran conflict escalates and affects Gulf countries. In response to the instability, Amazon has closed its Abu Dhabi fulfilment centre and temporarily suspended deliveries throughout the region. According to an internal memo seen by Business Insider, this has led to…

India and Canada on Monday signed key agreements on uranium and critical minerals and committed to finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney laid out a roadmap to deepen bilateral cooperation and aim to raise annual trade to USD 50 billion by 2030, up from the current USD 13 billion. Expanding Economic and Energy Cooperation The two leaders announced a new strategic energy partnership covering LNG, LPG, uranium, solar, hydrogen, and other clean energy sources. A landmark USD 2.6 billion deal with Saskatoon-based Cameco will supply nearly 22…

Travel platform EaseMyTrip announced plans to operate charter flights from Oman to India to help Indian nationals stranded in the Middle East. The announcement was made by founder and chairman Nishant Pitti on X (formerly Twitter), where he also urged people to join a dedicated WhatsApp channel for updates and travel support. Support Amid Rising Tensions These efforts come as tensions escalate in the Middle East following conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which reportedly led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Flight cancellations have hit major hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat, leaving…

SpiceJet has announced four special flights from the United Arab Emirates on March 3 to bring back Indian nationals stranded after the sudden closure of airspace. The airline will operate services from Fujairah to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi, including two flights to Mumbai, aiming to ensure passengers return as quickly as possible. Resuming Scheduled Flights From March 4, SpiceJet plans to resume its regular flights between Fujairah and Delhi and between Fujairah and Mumbai. The move is intended to gradually restore normal connectivity between the UAE and India. The airline is also considering additional special flights, depending on passenger demand…

E. Sreedharan presented the revised plan for a high-speed rail corridor in Kerala at a press conference in Ponnani. The updated alignment now includes Pathanamthitta district and will feature 20 stations along a 465 km route. A dedicated team has been formed to push detailed planning and advance project implementation, with the aim of improving connectivity across the state. Route and Stations The corridor is planned to start at Thiruvananthapuram Central, passing through Thiruvananthapuram Airport via a tunnel, Varkala, Kollam, Kottarakkara, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Vaikom, Ernakulam, Nedumbassery, Thrissur, Pattambi, Malappuram, Karipur, Kozhikode, Koyilandy, Vadakara, Thalassery, and ending at Kannur. Stations…

Qatar stopped its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production on Monday after Iranian attacks on Gulf countries, following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran. The precautionary shutdown affected Qatar’s Ras Laffan complex, a key hub that accounts for about 20% of global LNG supply, crucial for both Asian and European markets. Ripple Effects Across the Middle East The unrest has forced multiple shutdowns: Saudi Arabia’s largest domestic refinery was temporarily closed after a drone strike, most oil production in Iraqi Kurdistan halted, and several Israeli gas fields suspended operations, affecting exports to Egypt. QatarEnergy, whose clients are largely in Asia, prepared…

After days of anxiety and waiting, flight services from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to India restarted on Monday night, bringing huge relief to thousands of stranded Indians. Routes to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru were among the first to operate after the suspension. Relief and Emotion at the Airports Airports witnessed scenes of happiness as passengers finally boarded flights home. On an Emirates service from Dubai to Bengaluru, a cabin crew member welcomed travellers with a simple but heartfelt message, calling it the first flight to take off after the disruption. For many on board, it was more than just an…

Fashion luminary Sabyasachi Mukherjee, known globally for his richly detailed couture and deep roots in Indian aesthetics, has opened a window into his grand Kolkata residence, sprawling over 7,250 square feet. The home’s interior celebrates maximalist décor, featuring dramatic crystal chandeliers, layered textiles, custom furniture and a thoughtful mix of antique and contemporary art. Unlike minimalistic modern spaces, Sabyasachi’s home embraces layers, patterns, colour and craft, mirroring the designer’s own ethos of heritage-infused luxury. The residence features bespoke seating areas, richly upholstered furnishings, curated art collections and ornamental lighting that brings theatrical warmth to every room. Each space feels like a carefully staged tableau,…