Author: News Desk

Each Ramadan, hundreds of inmates across the UAE gain their freedom after their debts are cleared. Central to this humanitarian effort is Dubai-based Indian businessman Firoz Merchant, whose long-running program now extends beyond debt relief to include direct financial support for cancer patients struggling with rising medical expenses. This year’s campaign highlights a broader philanthropic approach, combining debt forgiveness with healthcare assistance during the Holy Month. Who Is Firoz Merchant? Firoz Merchant is an Indian billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist based in Dubai. He founded the Pure Gold Group in 1989, growing it into a major jewellery retail chain with more than 170 stores…

Kochi has been named one of the Top 10 Trending Destinations for 2026 in the annual Travel Predictions released by Booking.com, highlighting the coastal city’s growing popularity among global travelers. The city features alongside international hotspots like Mui Ne in Vietnam and Port Douglas, reflecting its unique mix of historic charm, scenic backwaters, and evolving urban experiences. Booking.com’s data for the first half of 2026 (January–June) shows Kochi ranked among the top 10 most-searched Indian destinations by travelers worldwide, with a 30 percent year-on-year increase in search interest. The city’s appeal spans spiritual wellness, nature-focused tourism, and cultural heritage, attracting…

The Centre has banned five over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms for allegedly hosting and distributing content deemed “obscene,” according to official sources cited by ANI. The move was taken by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) as part of ongoing efforts to regulate online streaming under existing information technology laws. The platforms blocked in this crackdown are MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu. Authorities stated that these services were found to be streaming material that violated legal standards governing digital content in India. This follows a similar action in July 2025, when the government blocked websites and apps linked…

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is in advanced discussions with South Korea’s HD Hyundai Group to set up a $500-million shipbuilding joint venture in Kochi, marking the first direct investment by a global shipbuilding major into India’s core shipbuilding infrastructure, according to Mint. The proposed venture, structured as a 50:50 partnership, represents a potential breakthrough in India’s long-standing ambition to become a significant shipbuilding nation alongside established leaders like China, South Korea, and Japan. The timing is notable, as Asian shipyards are currently operating at full capacity, with order books stretching years ahead. The collaboration will involve HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (HD…

India and Brazil signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on rare earths and critical minerals during President Lula da Silva’s state visit to India on 21 February 2026. The joint statement highlighted the two countries’ intention to cooperate across the full mineral value chain, including exploration, mining, processing, recycling, and refining, with the aim of strengthening supply chains and enhancing competitiveness. India is working to build domestic capacity across the critical minerals value chain and reduce dependence on any single country by forging more overseas partnerships. Domestically, the Union Cabinet approved the National Critical Mineral Mission in January 2025, covering exploration,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Israel on 25 February for a two-day state visit, marking his first trip to Israel as Prime Minister since 2017, before Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited India the following year. This visit comes after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas under the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” last October, and following India’s condemnation, along with over 100 other nations, of Israel’s settlement expansion in the West Bank. On departure, PM Modi said he would hold talks with PM Netanyahu to explore ways to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors. He will also meet Isaac Herzog, the President…

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to rename Kerala as “Keralam”, responding to a long-standing public demand in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the decision reflects the will of the people. The state government had earlier submitted two requests to the Centre seeking the name change. Next Steps in the Process Announcing the decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that after Cabinet approval, the President will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the state legislative assembly under Article 3 of the Constitution for its opinion. After receiving the assembly’s response, the Centre will take further action and…

The Indian Navy is preparing to strengthen its Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities with the commissioning of Anjadip, the third ship in the eight-vessel ASW Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) project. The warship will join the Eastern Naval Command at Chennai Port on 27 February 2026, in a ceremony led by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, Anjadip underscores India’s push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence. Measuring 77 meters, the vessel is a high-speed, agile “Dolphin Hunter” built for littoral operations, capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising enemy submarines in coastal waters. It features an advanced indigenous ASW…

India’s two biggest conglomerates are turning the ongoing India AI Summit into a prime spot to scout young engineers. With the race to build AI tools heating up and global investors pouring money in, Reliance Industries and the Adani Group are actively handpicking talent. Applicants are showing up with resumes, GitHub portfolios, and live projects to grab attention. Priyanshi Bavishi, marketing executive at AdaniConnex Pvt. Ltd., said, “The AI space is still niche, so skilled candidates have huge opportunities.” Tech Titans Take the Stage The week-long summit features tech heavyweights like Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai and OpenAI’s Sam Altman. French President…

Resource-rich Kazakhstan, the world’s leading uranium producer, has agreed to supply a large quantity of uranium under a new contract to support India’s nuclear power plants. Announcement and Background The deal was announced by Kazakhstan’s state-owned uranium company, Kazatomprom, following discussions with India’s Department of Atomic Energy. India and Kazakhstan have been negotiating a uranium supply agreement since the previous contract expired, with talks gaining momentum in recent months. Past Agreements Kazatomprom previously signed agreements with India for uranium supply: in January 2009, it agreed to provide 2,100 tonnes to India’s Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL), and in July 2015, it…