Author: News Desk

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that technology should be harnessed to bring meaningful improvements to people’s lives, rather than remain confined to theoretical discussions. He made the remarks while inaugurating the closing session of the AI FutureCon summit in Thiruvananthapuram. The summit, held in Kerala as a precursor to the Global AI Summit scheduled in Delhi this February, marks an important milestone in the state’s vision for a knowledge-driven, modern Kerala. “Kerala is committed to using innovative and technological ideas to drive social change,” Vijayan said. The Chief Minister noted that artificial intelligence can play a key role in…

The Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express has been launched, offering a new weekly connection between Thiruvananthapuram Central in Kerala and Tambaram in Tamil Nadu. The service operates under train numbers 16122 (TVC → TBM) and 16121 (TBM → TVC), catering to travellers across key cities in the southern region. Running once a week in both directions, the Amrit Bharat Express departs Thiruvananthapuram Central on Thursdays at 10:40 hrs and arrives in Tambaram at 23:45 hrs, while the return journey leaves Tambaram on Wednesdays at 17:30 hrs and reaches Thiruvananthapuram Central at 08:00 hrs. During its journey, the train stops at 15 stations, including Nagercoil Town, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchchirappalli, Villupuram and Chengalpattu, improving rail mobility for passengers travelling…

Regional carrier Fly91 has announced that it will become the third airline operating on the busy Kochi–Agatti air route, joining IndiGo and Alliance Air in serving this key link between Kerala and the Lakshadweep islands. Bookings for the new service are now open, with daily flights from Cochin International Airport (COK) to Agatti Airport (AGX) scheduled to begin on February 9, 2026. Airport officials say the additional airline service comes amid growing passenger demand driven by increasing tourism and improved interest in the island destination, which has limited air connectivity to the mainland. The new Fly91 flights are expected to offer travellers greater flexibility and more travel choices in the sector. Enhanced connectivity could also support tourism growth…

Kerala Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer said there is no need to fear artificial intelligence and that the time has come to think not just about what AI can do, but whom it should serve. He was speaking after inaugurating the Kerala Regional AI Impact Conference, held at the Leela Raviz Hotel in Kovalam, aimed at assessing the practical possibilities of AI across sectors and its social and economic impact. Shamseer stressed that AI should be used continuously and questioned critically, but not feared. He added that artificial intelligence holds value only when it contributes to improving human life. The one-day…

Eight Muslim-majority countries, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have announced their decision to join the United States’ “Board of Peace” initiative, a diplomatic framework launched by US President Donald Trump designed to help end the conflict in Gaza and support its long-term stability. In a joint statement, foreign ministers from the eight nations welcomed Trump’s invitation for their leaders to participate in the body and affirmed their support for the peace efforts led by the US. Under the plan, each country will sign the necessary documents in line with its legal procedures before formal membership. The Board of Peace is part…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Thiruvananthapuram will be developed into India’s largest startup hub. He said the foundation stone laying of the Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub marks the first step towards achieving this vision. At the official ceremony held at Putharikandam Maidan in Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the hub and flagged off several train services, including Amrit Bharat Express trains, connecting Kerala with South India. The trains flagged off included Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram, Thiruvananthapuram–Hyderabad, Nagercoil–Mangaluru Amrit Bharat trains, the Guruvayur–Thrissur passenger service, and Amrit Bharat services bound for Tamil Nadu. Modi said that a developed…

India is increasingly being seen as a major global economic force, with several experts and leaders at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos projecting that the country is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy in the coming years, potentially by 2028 or sooner. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted India’s strong growth trajectory, citing structural reforms, infrastructure investment, and robust economic fundamentals as key drivers of sustained expansion. Economist Gita Gopinath noted that while GDP growth could elevate India’s global ranking, the real challenge lies in raising per capita incomes and maintaining reform momentum to ensure inclusive prosperity. Projections by financial institutions and analysts suggest India’s rapid expansion could see…

India and the European Union (EU) are set to formalise a significant Security and Defence Partnership during the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi next week, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas has announced. The agreement, approved by the EU and India, is expected to be signed when top EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, visit India as chief guests for key diplomatic engagements. According to statements in the European Parliament, the partnership will broaden bilateral cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism and other critical defence areas, reflecting deepening strategic…

India is poised to unveil a major advancement in its defence arsenal at the 77th Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2026, with the first public display of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) long-range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Glide Missile (LRAShM). The missile, designed primarily for the Indian Navy, boasts a range of around 1,500 kilometres and travels at hypersonic speeds, making it difficult for enemy radars to detect and intercept. The LRAShM is part of India’s efforts to strengthen its maritime strike and deterrence capabilities in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region through advanced indigenous technologies. According to DRDO Project Director A. Prasad Goud, the missile combines high aerodynamic…

India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem is poised for a milestone with the first Made-in-India C-295 aircraft expected to roll out of the final assembly line in Vadodara, Gujarat, before September 2026, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced during talks with Spain’s Foreign Minister. The C-295 programme is being executed under a ₹21,935-crore contract signed in September 2021 between India’s Ministry of Defence, Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for 56 medium-lift tactical transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Under this deal, the first 16 aircraft were delivered in “fly-away” condition from Airbus’ Seville facility, while the remaining 40 aircraft are to be manufactured domestically at the Airbus-Tata Final Assembly Line inaugurated in October 2024 in Vadodara. The upcoming rollout…