Author: News Desk

The Ministry of Railways is reportedly planning to introduce a new Vande Bharat Express train in Karnataka. The semi-high-speed train will be maintained and operated by the South Western Railway (SWR) zone and is expected to enhance regional connectivity and boost the state’s economy. Existing Vande Bharat Services in Karnataka Currently, Karnataka has 22 Vande Bharat trains (11 pairs) serving various stations across the state. About 14 of these services either originate from or terminate in the Bengaluru region, providing extensive coverage for passengers throughout Karnataka. Route and Extension Plans The new train will run on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru route, according…

India is making significant strides in establishing its own space station while simultaneously progressing on the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, said ISRO Programme Director Imtiyaz Ahmed on Monday. Satellites Supporting Science and Gaganyaan Work is ongoing on nearly 80 satellites that will support scientific research, disaster management, internal security, navigation, and relay critical signals for the Gaganyaan mission back to Earth. Ahmed highlighted that such projects are key to strengthening India’s space capabilities and technological self-reliance. Major ISRO Projects Underway ISRO is currently engaged in several major initiatives, including Earth Observation missions, Navigation with Indian Constellation (NVS), the Indian Data…

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has started issuing visas for the 2026 Hajj season (1447 AH) from February 8. The move comes alongside the release of an official operational calendar for Hajj affairs offices, signaling the early start of preparations to ensure smooth arrangements before pilgrims arrive in the Kingdom. Early Preparations to Ensure Readiness The ministry said that initiating visa issuance early is part of its efforts to strengthen planning and coordination for the Hajj season. These steps aim to improve the overall experience for pilgrims, ensure adequate services, and maintain operational efficiency across all Hajj-related activities.…

Britain’s Prince William arrived in Riyadh on Monday for his first official visit to Saudi Arabia. He was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Deputy Emir of Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan, and British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Stephen Charles Hitchen. Meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman During the three-day visit, Prince William is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Kensington Palace said. The trip, conducted on behalf of the British government, aims to strengthen bilateral ties between the United Kingdom and Saudi…

Regional airline FLY91 began operations on the Kochi–Agatti sector on Monday, establishing a daily air link between Kerala and the Lakshadweep islands. The airline’s ATR 72-600 aircraft received a water cannon salute at Cochin International Airport to mark the inaugural flight. Early Demand and Community Response Online bookings for the new route opened last month, and the airline reported strong early demand. Residents of Lakshadweep welcomed the service, which aims to improve connectivity to the islands through a major southern gateway. Expansion of Existing Services FLY91 has been operating daily flights to Goa for the past two years. The new…

Finnish telecom equipment maker Nokia has inaugurated its new research and development (R&D) facility for fixed networks in Siruseri, Chennai. The facility, the largest of its kind globally, reflects Nokia’s deepening presence in Tamil Nadu and its commitment to advancing broadband and optical network technologies. Expansion Following Government MoU The expansion follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Nokia and the Tamil Nadu government during Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s visit to the United States in August 2024. Tamil Nadu Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa shared details of the project on social media, highlighting the creation of over 200 high-end jobs…

Tesla Vice President Raj Jegannathan, who spent 13 years with the company, announced on Monday that he is leaving. In a brief LinkedIn post, he described his time at the electric carmaker as “a journey of continuous evolution.” Before his departure, Jegannathan was responsible for information technology, AI infrastructure, business applications, and information security. Last year, he also took on oversight of Tesla’s sales operations after the former head of North America sales, Troy Jones, was removed. Jegannathan joined Tesla in 2012 as a technical expert in cloud security and IT. Over time, he advanced to Vice President of IT,…

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday inaugurated the first phase of the Aero Park at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), marking a step towards expanding the airport into a full-fledged aviation industry hub. Spread across 36 acres, the Aero Park has been designed as an integrated aviation ecosystem, bringing together aircraft hangars, parking bays, training centres, technical service units, and business infrastructure within a single campus. The facility will operate with features similar to a special economic zone and will have direct access to both the airport’s operational area and the city side. The Chief Minister said the State’s objective…

At 70, Biana Watre Momin left her quiet life in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, where she cared for her grandchildren and dogs, to travel over 3,000 km south to Kerala to act in a film. Speaking no Malayalam and with no prior acting experience, she embraced a role that would only reveal its depth once filming began. Discovering Eko The film, Eko, marked a turning point in her life. Momin, a retired English literature teacher from Tura Government College, had never aspired to act. Growing up in a town without cinemas or theaters, her exposure to performing arts was minimal,…

The Centre is preparing a ₹9,280 crore scheme to partially fund the development of water metro systems across India, in partnership with state governments and private players. The initiative aims to utilise India’s rivers, canals, lakes, backwaters, estuaries, creeks, and coastal waters to ease road congestion and promote sustainable urban transport. This proposal forms part of the draft National Water Metro Policy 2026 prepared by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Connecting Cities and Islands Water metro projects will link city centres with nearby areas and islands, catering to daily passenger travel, tourism, and integration with other transport modes.…