Author: News Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commissioned the Haldia Bulk Terminal, formally dedicating the facility to the nation. Built to handle 4 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of dry bulk cargo, the terminal is a fully automated facility located on the Hooghly River and includes direct rail connectivity for cargo evacuation. The project marks an important upgrade for bulk cargo movement along India’s eastern maritime corridor, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce handling losses, and streamline logistics for industries dependent on imported raw materials. Automated Bulk Handling and Rail Connectivity According to Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, the terminal introduces…

Indian Railways has completed redevelopment at 180 out of 1,337 railway stations identified under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), Parliament was informed on 11 March. The scheme, launched as a long-term initiative, aims to modernise railway stations nationwide by enhancing passenger facilities, connectivity, and infrastructure. According to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, redevelopment is ongoing across multiple states and railway zones. The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme follows a phased approach based on master plans, which cover: The scheme also incorporates sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, ballastless tracks where required, phased development, and long-term creation of city-centre-like hubs at major stations. So far, 180 stations…

Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is reportedly planning large-scale layoffs that could affect around 20% of its workforce, or nearly 16,000 employees, as the company invests heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure and prepares for efficiency gains from AI-assisted operations. Sources told Reuters that while plans have been communicated to senior leaders, no official date or final numbers have been confirmed. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone described the report as speculative. If implemented, this would be the largest reduction in staff at Meta since its “year of efficiency” restructuring in late 2022 and early 2023. Previously, Meta cut 11,000 employees in November…

The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), one of India’s largest cooperative infrastructure organisations, has successfully completed three major projects worth a total of Rs 4.53 billion, showcasing its expertise in coastal protection, complex bridge construction, and climate-resilient roads. One project created a 7.31-km coastal protection system to prevent shoreline erosion and sea intrusion. It involved placing roughly 1,25,000 tetrapods, 8,50,000 tonnes of granite armour units, and constructing groynes to stabilise sediment movement along the coast. This project earned the Outstanding Infrastructure Project 2023 award from the Indian Concrete Institute (ICI), Kochi Chapter. ULCCS also delivered South India’s longest over-backwater…

Amid the ongoing commercial LPG shortage in Kochi, which has forced many restaurants to reduce menus or close temporarily, two local software engineers have developed an app called GasUndo to keep residents informed about which eateries are open. The app, a crowdsourced platform, allows users to see restaurant status, view menus, and update information about availability in real time. Vaishakh Suresh, one of the creators, explained that the app functions as a live map, showing each restaurant’s location and status. Users can log in to mark whether a restaurant is open, closed, or offering a limited menu, helping the community stay updated.…

KSRTC has brought a piece of Kerala’s history back to the roads by launching a vintage-style bus that evokes nostalgia. The green bus, featuring classic round headlights, the iconic Ashok Leyland logo, and a windshield reminiscent of the 1980s, was inaugurated at Kowdiar Palace by KSRTC Minister KB Ganesh Kumar. The bus will run between Peroorkada and Kizhakekotta, offering nine trips daily from 7:15 am to 5:35 pm, with each journey taking about 30 minutes. Minister Ganesh Kumar had personally suggested creating the vintage bus, inspired by similar heritage vehicles in Europe. The bus seats up to 52 passengers and…

Iran has assured India of safe maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz despite the escalating conflict in West Asia, with Tehran citing the long-standing friendly ties between the two countries. Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said on Friday that vessels bound for India would be allowed to transit safely through the crucial shipping corridor. Responding to a question on whether Indian-bound ships would be permitted safe passage, he said Iran considers India a close partner with shared interests and a long history of cooperation. Fathali also noted that Tehran has directed its embassy in New Delhi to assist…

The city of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh is widely known as the “Chilli Capital of India.” The region is famous for producing large quantities of high-quality red chillies that are exported across the world. Guntur’s reputation comes from its extensive chilli cultivation and its massive agricultural market. The Guntur Mirchi Yard is considered Asia’s largest chilli market, where thousands of tonnes of chillies are traded and where domestic and international chilli prices are often influenced. The district dedicates a significant portion of its horticultural land to chilli farming, and the famous Guntur Sannam chilli variety is widely used in spice blends and food processing. The region’s soil and climate…

Indian-American technology leader Shantanu Narayen will step down as the Chief Executive Officer of Adobe after an 18-year tenure that transformed the company into one of the world’s most successful software firms. Narayen became CEO in 2007 and is widely credited with leading Adobe through a major strategic shift, from selling traditional packaged software to a cloud-based subscription model. This transition led to the launch and expansion of platforms such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Document Cloud, which significantly boosted the company’s recurring revenue. During his leadership, Adobe strengthened its position in digital media, creative design tools, and marketing technology. The company also expanded into artificial intelligence-powered creative solutions,…

Former Indian cricketer and AAP MP Harbhajan Singh has called for stricter laws to block pornography websites and regulate harmful online content while speaking in the Rajya Sabha during Parliament’s Budget Session. Singh said “strict action is needed” and urged the Government of India to implement stronger legal measures to prevent easy access to pornographic websites and explicit material online. He also recommended introducing strong age-verification systems and restricting children below 16 from accessing social media platforms. The AAP MP raised concerns that children are increasingly being exposed to sexualised or semi-pornographic content on platforms like Instagram, which he said could negatively impact their mental health and behaviour. His…