Author: News Desk

Saudi Arabia has quietly eased its decades-old strict ban on alcohol for some wealthy foreign residents, opening the door to controlled sales for a select group of expatriates in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. Alcohol sales were banned nationwide in 1952 under conservative interpretations of Islamic law, but the kingdom has recently begun broad social and economic reforms. Since late 2025, affluent non-Muslim foreign residents, including those holding Premium Residency permits or earning a high monthly income, can now legally purchase beer, wine and spirits at a discreet, licensed outlet in the capital. To qualify, expatriates must either hold a Premium Residency permit, typically granted to…

Saudi Arabia has introduced a digital passport system for camels, marking a unique regulatory step in livestock management. Each passport serves as an official identification document for individual camels, recording key details such as microchip number, name, date of birth, breed, sex, colour and place of birth, along with photographs of the animal. The passports also include a dedicated section for vaccination and health records, which must be certified by a veterinarian. This initiative is part of the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Programme and aims to streamline camel sales, transport, ownership transfer and official documentation, enhancing transparency and efficiency in the sector. With over 2.23 million camels and around…

Chinese aerospace developer AutoFlight has achieved a major advancement in eVTOL technology with its Matrix aircraft, the world’s first five-ton class electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle designed for up to 10 passengers or heavy cargo roles. On February 5, 2026, AutoFlight completed a public full transition flight demonstration of Matrix, successfully flying the aircraft through all phases from vertical take-off to fixed-wing cruise and back to vertical landing, validating the platform’s advanced aerodynamic design, high-power electric propulsion and flight control integration. Matrix stands out in the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector due to its size and capacity; most current eVTOL designs focus on smaller aircraft carrying four to six people.…

Diva and Jeet Adani marked their first wedding anniversary by celebrating the completion of one year of Adani Mangal Seva, a social security initiative dedicated to empowering divyang women. Launched ahead of their wedding in February 2025, the programme reflects a conscious decision to anchor personal celebrations in long-term social responsibility. In its first year, Adani Mangal Seva fulfilled its commitment to support 500 divyang women, each provided with a ₹10 lakh fixed deposit in partnership with State Bank of India. The structure ensures a steady monthly income and access to the principal after ten years, offering both immediate support and long-term financial stability.…

The Kerala government has announced a 5% increase in wages for contract and daily wage workers as part of its 2026–27 state budget, Finance Minister K N Balagopal said on Wednesday. The raise aims to enhance the earnings and living standards of informal sector workers, who make up a large segment of the state’s workforce. The budget also includes targeted increases for other groups, such as a ₹500 monthly bump for ayahs in pre-primary schools and a ₹1,000 wage increase for SC/ST promoters. Additionally, funds have been allocated for healthcare needs, including ₹30 crore for medicines for spinal muscular atrophy patients, and infrastructure projects like an international yoga research centre in Kannur.…

The Kerala government has announced plans to formally urge the Union government to fast-track approvals for the long-pending Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road (ORR) project, aiming to speed up environmental clearances and related sanctions needed for its execution. The Outer Ring Road, designated National Highway 866, is envisaged as a major infrastructure link connecting Vizhinjam International Seaport with the broader national highway network, facilitating smoother cargo movement, decongesting city traffic and strengthening regional logistics. Delays in green clearances, particularly for the northern stretch of the road, have hindered land acquisition progress and stalled compensation to affected landowners, slowing overall project momentum. State officials have highlighted that timely clearance is essential not just for compensation disbursements…

Russia has signalled a major step in defence cooperation by offering India unrestricted technology transfer and production collaboration for the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter and the SU-57 MKI heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) package. Senior officials from Russia’s defence export agency and United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) outlined proposals that would allow India to receive Su-57 aircraft produced in Russia, followed by a phased shift to licensed local production at Indian aerospace facilities such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The transfer offer reportedly covers a broad range of advanced technologies, including engines, AESA radar, optics, low signature systems, artificial intelligence elements and modern weapons integration, with flexibility to integrate Indian-made…

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated over 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased persons as part of a nationwide effort to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the Aadhaar database, officials said. Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada told Parliament that the move is essential to prevent identity theft, fraud and unauthorised use of Aadhaar numbers after a person’s death. Active Aadhaar numbers of individuals who have passed away could otherwise be exploited for illicit transactions or to improperly claim welfare benefits, the government said. The cleanup is part of ongoing database sanitisation measures, including regular updates using civil registration system data and improved…

Airbus is on track to deliver the first C295 tactical transport aircraft assembled at its final assembly line in Vadodara, Gujarat during the second half of 2026, a major milestone for India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing sector. The aircraft is part of a 56-aircraft order placed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) under a ₹21,935 crore contract signed in 2021 to replace its ageing Avro fleet and boost airlift capability. The first 16 C295s were delivered in “fly-away” condition from Airbus’s facility in Seville, Spain, but the remaining 40 aircraft will be made and assembled in India at the new Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)–Airbus final assembly line inaugurated in Vadodara in October 2024 as part…

Quick-service restaurant giant Devyani International is consolidating its position in India’s fast-growing food services sector by acquiring the remaining stake in Sky Gate Hospitality, the operator of popular brands like ‘Biriyani By Kilo’ and ‘Goila Butter Chicken,’ in a deal valued at around ₹57.5 crore. The company’s board approved the purchase of an additional 11.4% stake from Sky Gate’s promoters and founders, giving Devyani full ownership. The transaction will be executed through a combination of cash and non-convertible redeemable preference shares, according to a regulatory filing. Following the announcement of strong Q3 results, Devyani shares rose nearly 10% to ₹125.88…