Press Release Watch

Need a pause in advance #AI development for the sake of humanity : Geoffrey Hinton

2026-09-13T10:43:12.231-07:00

According to pioneering computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton a pause in advanced AI development would need international coordination, especially involving China—not just a U.S.-based agreement.

External auditors and regulation may be necessary because voluntary commitments from AI companies might not be enough.

Employees at major AI companies are deeply worried about the consequences of an escalating AI race, including broader instability and humanity’s future."I've been speaking to the the people that work there, and I can say that they are genuinely frightened. But, they are genuinely concerned about the fate of humanity in the next two years. When they are planning their lives, planning what to do with their lives, they are thinking about the impacts of their work, like and they you know like considering buying land somewhere because they're so scared of the instability as a result of rapid AI progress. So, the all I can say is that the people who work at these companies are completely serious when they ask for regulation because they find themselves trapped in a race and they're scared of the of the outcome of that race," said Hinton in a recent interview.

Hinton left his research role at Google in 2023 to speak more freely about AI risks.

The key point was that Hinton sees the problem not simply as one of technical safety, but as a global coordination failure: companies and countries may continue racing even when many participants recognize the dangers.

Hinton's work on artificial neural networks and deep learning helped lay the foundation for today’s AI systems. The British-Canadian computer scientist and cognitive psychologist shared the 2018 Turing Award with Yoshua Bengio and Yann LeCun.

U.S. Ambassador visits India's #Manipur

2026-09-11T08:16:34.766-07:00

American citizen Matthew VanDyke was arrested by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) in March 2026, rather than being caught directly in Manipur. (Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor recently arrived for an official visit to Manipur and met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

American national Matthew VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals were detained on March 13, 2026, at the Kolkata airport (while the Ukrainians were detained in Delhi and Lucknow). They are accused of entering India's northeast region without proper permits and crossing into Myanmar to train armed groups in drone warfare.The NIA filed a formal chargesheet against the seven men in September 2026, and they are currently held in Tihar Jail.

Six Ukrainians and an American citizen had been arrested for allegedly entering India’s northeast region without permits and then crossing to neighbouring Myanmar to train armed groups in drone warfare.

#China Slams ‘Malicious’ Indian Media Accusations on Deadly Flood in #Nepal

2026-08-31T06:27:34.697-07:00

China pushed back against claims by some Indian commentators who debated whether Beijing was to blame for last week’s deadly landslide along the Nepal-Tibet border.

Experts have determined that “the disaster has been triggered by the collapse of a high-altitude glacier in Nepal,” Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said in response to a question at a daily briefing in Beijing on Monday. “In the face of major disasters, we firmly oppose such groundless and malicious speculation.”

#Iran, #India Can Work Together To ‘Neutralize’ Sanctions: #Pezeshkian

2026-08-31T06:11:01.109-07:00

During his meeting with PM Modi, Pezeshkian said the two countries could deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.

The two leaders also discussed the Strait of Hormuz, Chabahar Port and expanding economic and strategic cooperation.

Iran’s President also said he had sought PM Modi’s help to “move away from the path of war and bloodshed”, thanking India for its support and cooperation during the recent conflict.

Pezeshkian also emphasized the need to strengthen communications and consultations between officials of the two countries, stating: “With Your Excellency’s attention and support, we can further deepen relations between the two countries and create new areas for cooperation.”

The Prime Minister of India, for his part, expressed his pleasure at meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stating: “During the difficult period we have recently experienced, we sought to maintain and preserve our cooperation and communications with Iran.”

Referring to Dr. Pezeshkian’s experience and views on peace and security, Narendra Modi added: “From what I have come to know of your personality, you are a peace-loving person, and I believe that you can play an effective role in advancing the cause of peace. I am confident that your efforts will ultimately lead to positive results.”

The Indian Prime Minister, agreeing with the President’s view regarding the existence of groups that see their interests in the continuation of war, said: “I agree with you that there are those who see their interests in war, but we must intensify our efforts to establish peace. My belief and conviction is that, ultimately, peace and security will prevail.”

Narendra Modi also referred to the historical and civilizational background of relations between Iran and India, stating: “Iran and India have ancient and deep-rooted relations, and the civilizations of the two countries have been connected with one another for centuries. This historical and cultural heritage can serve as a valuable foundation for expanding cooperation between the two countries in various fields.”

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Prime Minister of India also discussed the latest state of bilateral cooperation in various areas during the meeting.

Cooperation in the fields of transportation and maritime affairs, developments related to the Strait of Hormuz, and the progress of cooperation at Chabahar Port were among the most important issues discussed by the two sides.

The two sides emphasized the importance of making use of existing capacities to expand economic and trade relations and strengthen strategic cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of India.

Indian MP links PM' #Modi's visit to #Uzbekistan with forwarding business interests of #Adani Group

2026-08-31T00:48:52.558-07:00

TMC MP Mahua Moitra criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his visit to Uzbekistan while linking it to the Adani Group.

The Adani Group is aggressively expanding its footprint in Uzbekistan, focusing heavily on hydropower, strategic mining, and green energy infrastructure.

These business moves directly parallel broader diplomatic advancements, highlighted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit to Tashkent on August 29–30, 2026.

During this visit, a long-term uranium and critical minerals supply framework was signed between the two nations.

On August 18, 2026, Adani representatives held core talks at the headquarters of the Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex (TMK).

Sardor Rustambaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan, met Mr. Gautam Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Group, on 26th April 2026 to present various investment opportunities in Uzbekistan.

The groups are reviewing extensive geological and technical data to launch joint exploration and progress projects to the industrial development stage. TMK manages strategic deposits, including copper, tungsten, molybdenum, and uranium.

This overseas mining push directly aligns with Adani Power’s domestic trajectory, where it is aggressively targeting 10 GW of nuclear power capacity in India by 2035.

#India to buy #uranium from #Uzbekistan

2026-08-31T00:18:09.990-07:00

After recent moves to secure uranium supplies from Canada and Australia, India is now moving closer to signing a long-term arrangement with Uzbekistan for importing yellowcake, as it seeks to strengthen its nuclear fuel security and pursue its ambitious goal of expanding atomic power capacity to 100 GW by 2047.

Both countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in geology and mineral resources in the presence of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is the world's fifth-largest uranium producer, producing 7,000 metric tons of uranium in 2025. Its Annual production reached 7,000 tonnes in 2025, up from around 4,000 tonnes in previous years, driven by rapid growth from state-owned producer Navoiyuran. It holds approximately 139,000 to 185,000 tonnes of estimated and identified uranium resources.
New Delhi and Tashkent, according to sources, are exploring the possibility of India joining uranium exploration and mining operations in Uzbekistan, potentially taking the relationship beyond a conventional buyer–seller arrangement.
India has limited uranium resources and vast thorium reserves, and its long-term nuclear programme has been designed to make optimum use of the former while eventually enabling large-scale utilisation of the latter.
In March, Cameco of Canada signed a nine-year agreement to supply India with nearly 22 million pounds of uranium ore concentrate between 2027 and 2035.
Tashkent has already opened its uranium sector to international partnerships, with state-owned Navoiyuran collaborating with France’s Orano and Japan’s ITOCHU in the development of the South Djengeldi deposit in Uzbekistan.

#China didn't inform #Nepal in time; rerun of #COVID outbreak memories in China 2021

2026-08-26T23:06:24.319-07:00

Nepali media reports, citing Chinese media, say the flood hit Tibet’s Kerung County around 10:30 AM local time - more than two hours before the devastating flood reached Nepal.

But if Chinese authorities were monitoring the glacier collapse by helicopter, how the hell did they fail to warn the communities downstream? People were living directly in the potential path of a catastrophic flash flood, yet somehow no warning reached them in time. What exactly was the point of monitoring it from the air if that information wasn’t passed on to the people whose lives were at risk? This wasn’t an unforeseeable event. A timely warning could have meant the difference between life and death.

Local authorities have confirmed that at least three people are dead and 265 others remain missing after a mudslide in #Nepal hit border port of #Gyirong in southwest #China's Xizang Autonomous Region. The exact casualty toll is still being verified, while rescue operations are underway.

China's Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a working team to assist rescue efforts and sent 249 firefighters from national comprehensive fire and rescue teams, along with 325 personnel from engineering rescue teams.

China's National Commission for Disaster Reduction, the Ministry of Emergency Management and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, have allocated 30,000 pieces of relief supplies, including tents, heating equipment, clothing, quilts, folding beds and moisture-proof mats, to support the relocation and assistance of affected residents.

A total of 145 personnel from the Xigaze detachment of the People's Armed Police have been sent to the mudslide-hit border port to assist with emergency response operations after a mudslide struck near Gyirong Port in SW.China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Wednesday. The mudslide on the Nepali side of the border disrupted a road leading to the Gyirong Port. Drone footage showed that some buildings at the port had been buried by debris.

China’s Ministry of Natural Resources activated a Level-II emergency response for geological disasters, the second-highest in China's four-tier emergency response system, and dispatched a working team to the stricken site to guide rescue operations and prevent secondary disasters, sources with the ministry said.

China’s National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief, together with the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM), activated a Level-II emergency response for disaster relief, and helped allocate 30,000 central relief supplies including tents, stoves, clothing and quilts, folding beds and moisture-proof mats to support the evacuation, resettlement and relief work.

China’s Ministry of Finance and the MEM also allocated 120 million yuan (about 17.69 million U.S. dollars) in central natural disaster relief funds to support Xizang in carrying out emergency rescue and disaster relief work.

Meanwhile, China’s National Development and Reform Commission earmarked 100 million yuan in central budget investment to support the post-disaster emergency recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The disaster has cut off roads leading to the port on the Chinese side, as well as communications and power supplies, according to the emergency management bureau of Gyirong County in the city of Xigaze.

Gyirong Port is a major land port connecting China and Nepal.

#Tibet and #Nepal border post destroyed in flash ₹flood in #Nepal

2026-08-26T13:11:27.113-07:00

Local authorities have confirmed that axt least three people are dead and 265 others remain missing after a mudslide in #Nepal hit border port of #Gyirong in southwest #China's Xizang Autonomous Region. The exact casualty toll is still being verified, while rescue operations are underway.

Meanwhile, China’s National Development and Reform Commission earmarked 100 million yuan in central budget investment to support the post-disaster emergency recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Gyirong Port is a major land port connecting China and Nepal.

#US Country singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress Dolly Parton passed away at 80

2026-08-25T13:45:40.906-07:00

Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.

Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000).

A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.

At her request, a small, private service will be held for her immediate family members.

#US Ambassador visits #Tata #Lockheed Martin 's C-130J Super Hercules aircraft factory in #Hyderabad

2026-08-25T13:16:56.892-07:00

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) facility in Hyderabad on Monday, August 24. The visit highlighted the growing cooperation between the United States and India in aerospace manufacturing and defence.During the visit, Gor toured the production line where empennages for Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Super Hercules aircraft are manufactured. The visit also comes as Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin look to expand their partnership and work towards opportunities linked to India's recently released Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) requirement.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Lockheed Martin are looking to expand their aerospace and defence partnership as India moves ahead with its recently released Medium Transport Aircraft requirement. The development was highlighted during a visit by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) in Hyderabad on August 24.

C-130J production supports MTA opportunity

During the visit, Gor toured TLMAL’s production line for empennages for the C-130J Super Hercules. The Hyderabad facility forms part of the companies’ established manufacturing partnership and supports the integration of Indian aerospace production into the global C-130J supply chain.

Electric joins Databricks to bring WASM Postgres to #AI agent sandboxes

2026-08-25T06:27:51.829-07:00

Electric, the maker of PGlite, is joining Databricks to bring WASM Postgres to AI agent sandboxes.

Electric is leading the way in pioneering backend technology purpose-built for agents. With PGlite, every agent gets its own WASM Postgres build right inside the sandbox where it runs. And Electric’s real-time sync engine synchronizes distributed state back to a central Lakebase, enabling teams of agents to collaborate without losing track of shared context.

Lakebase delivers Postgres at production scale. PGlite brings WASM Postgres into the agent's own sandbox. Sync keeps the two consistent. By combining the power of Lakebase Postgres with the local execution of PGlite, agents get the lightweight databases they need to move fast and the infrastructure required to deploy at any scale.

For developers, this means:

Building collaborative, agentic applications on a single Postgres standard.

Running Postgres directly inside the agent sandbox, giving each agent a lightweight database it needs to move fast.

Keeping teams of agents in sync to instantly share context and act on fresh data, while centralizing control in Lakebase Postgres on cheap, durable object storage.

Shrinking open space in #Kolkata

2026-08-20T09:41:08.894-07:00

Kolkata has a critically low per capita green space of approximately 0.67 square meters, falling significantly short of the World Health Organization's recommendation of at least 9 square meters per person.

Planned global cities average around 80 sqm per resident, Bengaluru records 17 sqm, and Gandhinagar reaches a high of 162 sqm per dweller.

Kolkata's green cover stands at a low 5.5%, significantly trailing behind the national average of 19.49% and major metropolitan areas like Delhi (19.09%) and Mumbai (18%). This decline poses severe environmental and ecological challenges for the city.

World Wetlands Day occurs on February 2 every year to mark the date of adoption of Convention of Wetlands on the same day in 1971. But what are wetlands? According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), the Ramsar Convention technically defines a wetland as the “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters”.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance is a treaty which aims to conserve and sustainable use of wetlands. There are 2242 Ramsar sites which have been identified for protection. East Kolkata Wetlands is the largest resource ecosystem which helps in treating 600 million litres of wastewater and sewage on a regular basis. Natural and man-made canals and creeks which were made during the colonial era used to bring sewage which would flow through this wetland. East Kolkata Wetlands cover 125 square kilometers and consist of salt meadows, settling ponds and sewage farms. These act as a natural flood control system for the city. Located away from river Hooghly, the drainage and sewage system of the city has a design which gets benefitted from the East Kolkata Wetlands. These wetlands serve as a gigantic spill basin which becomes highly advantageous during the monsoons when the flooding is common through the Gangetic delta for the low-lying city of Kolkata.

We cannot afford to undermine the significance of East Kolkata Wetlands as they are indispensable when it comes to human survival. These are the most productive environments of the world that provide various ecosystem services ranging from supply of fresh water, food that attract animals, stores flood water, maintains water flow and mitigation of climatic change, offers habitat to fish, maintains diversity, haven for flora and fauna. The benefits are simply countless but how much do we acknowledge and decipher the significance?

The lust for land has created a huge impact on East Kolkata Wetlands. The relentless pressure of the real estate industry for land has choked the unique wetlands known for its sustainable symbiosis. Illegal landfills and construction have given rise to usurpation of the wetlands over the years. Since the colonial times, the area of wetland has shrunk unimaginably. Even after being recognized as a Ramsar site in 2002, the encroachment of the fertile wetlands has only increased with each passing day. No wonder, flooding in certain areas of Kolkata have become a common phenomenon during monsoons. The unique and precious wetlands of Kolkata might soon turn into a long-forgotten history if more buildings are constructed in this region in days to come.

Belvedere at Raffles #Udaipur #Rajasthan Recognized as ‘Best Rooftop Bar’

2026-08-13T07:29:32.969-07:00

Belvedere at Raffles Udaipur Recognized as ‘Best Rooftop Bar’ at Travel + Leisure India & South Asia’s Delicious Dining Awards 2026.

Belvedere is part of Raffles Udaipur’s collection of dining experiences across its private island and lakeshore property. Set on the tranquil Udai Sagar Lake, the resort features 101 rooms and suites on its private island and 36 rooms and suites at Raffles Lakeshore. With an intimate setting, the Lakeshore features four destination dining and culinary experiences and two celebration venues, while also serving as the arrival point for guests travelling to the private island by boat. The property brings together the heritage of Raffles with the architecture, culture and landscape of Rajasthan, complemented by its signature Raffles Butler service.

SKF India (Industrial) appoints Sujeeth Pai as its new #MD

2026-08-13T06:59:05.686-07:00

SKF India (Industrial) appoints Sujeeth Pai as its new Managing Director.

The new would be effective from September 1, 2026, subject to shareholder approval.

In his new role, Sujeeth will lead SKF India (Industrial)’s operations and drive the company’s profitable growth agenda.

Pai holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from P.E.S.I.T., Bangalore, and an MBA from the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad.

Since 1907, SKF has been making some of the world’s most innovative bearings, seals, lubrication systems, condition monitoring solutions, and services to reduce friction. Less friction means more energy saved and by reducing it, we make industry smarter, more competitive, and more energy efficient, building a more sustainable future where we can all do more with less. SKF is represented in approximately 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2025 were SEK 91,583 million and the number of employees was 37,271.

Accor to open Fairmont resort in #Rishikesh

2026-08-12T07:17:53.736-07:00

Hospitality group Accor has partnered with Javi Home for Fairmont Rishikesh, Himalayas, adding to its luxury development pipeline in India.

Set to open in 2031 in the tranquil Shivpuri Range of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, the upcoming resort will bring Fairmont’s renowned service, destination-led experiences, and distinctive approach to luxury hospitality to one of India’s most revered wellness and spiritual destinations.

Fairmont Rishikesh, Himalayas will span across approximately 16 acres of pristine landscape, featuring 220 guestrooms, four dining venues, 3,000 square meters of event space, a spa, fitness center, swimming pool, kids’ club, and a range of thoughtfully curated guest experiences.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is one of Accor’s leading luxury brands globally, with more than a century of history, and landmark hotels positioned in extraordinary destinations worldwide – from The Plaza in New York City and The Savoy in London to Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Fairmont Royal Palm in Marrakech. In India, Fairmont continues to grow its presence with Fairmont Jaipur, Fairmont Mumbai, and Fairmont Udaipur, alongside upcoming openings in Shimla Fagu, Goa, and Agra, further reinforcing the brand’s commitment to bringing its renowned hospitality to exceptional destinations across the country.

The expansion coincides with the ongoing increase in demand for luxury hospitality experiences in the Shivpuri-Rishikesh region. The location offers a great chance to provide world-class hospitality while meeting the growing demand for immersive, nature-led, and experience tourism, and fill the gap of branded luxury resorts in the region.

Commenting on the signing, Ranju Alex, CEO, Accor, South Asia said, "Another significant turning point in the strategic growth of the Fairmont brand in India is the signing of Fairmont Rishikesh, Himalayas. One of the most alluring luxury travel locations in the nation is Rishikesh, where spirituality, wellness, and immersive travel come together. This initiative demonstrates our dedication to providing outstanding hospitality to locations that provide genuine and significant experiences while bolstering our premium portfolio throughout the area.”

India's #Modi govt levying tax on #UPI and #RuPay transactions under #US pressure

2026-08-06T12:16:42.772-07:00

UPI and RuPay driving US payment platforms like Visa and MasterCard out of the Indian market : US Trade Representative's 2026 report

The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introduced by the Modi government, eliminates the statutory guarantee that had so far kept UPI transactions fee-free. It paves the way for imposing a merchant discount rate (MDR), which could easily be applied in the future to all types of digital payments. The burden of this will ultimately fall on ordinary people, who may now have to pay even for using UPI.

The Modi government's claim that this is the only way to keep UPI financially sustainabl

e is entirely wrong. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sufficient capacity to maintain the UPI system on a financially sustainable basis without imposing any additional fees on merchants or consumers. In 2025-26, the RBI had transferred a surplus of ₹2.86 lakh crore to the Modi government. Just a small portion of this amount would be enough to support this vital digital public infrastructure.

In fact, the real reason behind this amendment is perhaps even more concerning. This step has been taken following the U.S. Trade Representative's 2026 report, which criticized the fee-free nature of UPI and RuPay and accused them of driving American payment platforms like Visa and MasterCard out of the market. Is the Modi government, under pressure from its good friend Donald Trump, seeking to weaken UPI and open up the digital payments sector to American companies?

And this wouldn't be the first time. Donald Trump has publicly claimed more than 100 times that he pressured the Modi government into securing a sudden ceasefire during Operation Sindoor by threatening American tariffs. The United States has also claimed that India's gradual reduction in oil imports from Russia is a result of President Trump's directives. We also know that the Modi government, bowing to President Trump's bullying, accepted a trade agreement between India and the United States that was widely regarded as unfair and which particularly sacrificed the interests of our farmers and small businesses.

Union Agriculture Minister returns Rs. 99 lakh subsidy after media expose

2026-07-28T23:39:32.528-07:00

Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture, returned ₹99 lakh he received for a commercial cucumber project on his Rajasthan property in Peeh village. The subsidy, part of a horticulture scheme under his ministry, was credited to his bank account in March 2026 following NHB approval. Choudhary, a lifelong farmer and BJP MP from Ajmer, defended following all rules and using the farm for training, while the Centre confirmed no guidelines bar public officials from such aid. The refund came a month after an Indian Express report highlighted the issue, with another BJP MP also noted as a recipient of smaller funds.

Since July 25, no death certificate being issued in #KMC area under #BJP government

2026-07-28T09:05:52.263-07:00

Death certificates have reportedly not been issued in the KMC area since July 25, leaving hundreds of bereaved families unable to complete essential legal formalities.

• Around 1,000 death certificates are estimated to be pending, while nearly 300 cremations take place daily across 6 KMC crematoriums.

Nearly 300 cremations occur daily across 6 KMC-operated crematoriums

Families submit medical death certificates and Aadhaar but receive only a money receipt, which holds no legal validity

Cremation certificates are also not being issued

The disruption stems from an ongoing probe into birth and death certificate issuance processes and recent changes in signing authority

Officials warn the backlog could become unmanageable if the suspension continues

No official timeline for resumption of certificate issuance has been provided.

Families face hurdles in accessing insurance, pension, and property transfer benefits without valid documentation.

• Families are currently receiving only a money receipt after submitting the medical death certificate and the deceased's Aadhaar, which has no legal validity for insurance, pension, banking, inheritance, property transfer or other statutory claims.

• Cremation certificates are also not being issued, leaving families from outside Kolkata unable to apply for death certificates in their home civic bodies.

• The disruption is reportedly linked to an ongoing probe into birth and death certificate issuance and changes in the authority to sign death certificates, with pressure mounting to restore the earlier system.

• Officials have warned that the backlog could become difficult to manage if the suspension continues.

Future 'air taxis' showcased in Wuhan #China

2026-07-24T10:14:53.847-07:00

The E-HAWK is a hybrid-electric eVTOL developed by Electric Eagle Technology Group, positioned as a “flying car–type” platform aimed at low-altitude logistics and rescue missions. It has recently cleared a key hybrid-power verification flight in Wuhan’s Optics Valley low-altitude pilot zone and has already logged more than 100 test flights, showing stable and repeatable flight behaviour.

From a configuration standpoint, E-HAWK is relatively compact (5.6 m long, 3.9 m wide, 1.8 m high) but heavy-duty for its class. Maximum takeoff weight is 1.2 tonnes, with a payload capacity of 450 kg. Endurance exceeds 20 minutes, which the developers explicitly frame as a limitation-breaker compared with battery-only eVTOLs.

The core technical differentiator is its hybrid power architecture. Instead of using the turbine for direct thrust, E-HAWK employs a micro-turbine coupled to a high-speed permanent-magnet generator. This turbine-generator set produces electrical power for the lift motors and onboard systems, effectively acting as a high-power-density range extender. The design targets better endurance and payload performance while retaining electric propulsion characteristics at the rotors.

The aircraft uses a fully enclosed, eight-channel electric propulsion system. This enclosed layout improves safety and allows “parking-space-level” vertical takeoff and landing, reducing dependence on dedicated vertiports.

Significant engineering effort went into the hybrid system itself. Over roughly two years, the team tackled high-speed rotor modal stability, stator-rotor thermal management, and lubrication reliability for turbine-side bearings operating at extreme RPM. A notable outcome is coordinated control of the turbine-generator and multiple generators operating in parallel, forming a self-organizing onboard power network that simplifies flight-control integration and supports adaptation to different airframes.

The latest test flights focused on validating power stability, transient response, and thermal behaviour in real flight rather than expanding the full flight envelope. While no hard numbers for speed or range were released, the tests confirmed steady turbine-generator operation and reliable power delivery to the rotors, meeting current demonstration goals.

Next development steps include lowering specific fuel consumption, improving cooling efficiency, and pushing the design toward production readiness. Initial applications are planned for cargo and emergency missions around 2026, with crewed operations targeted for 2027

#Thailand planning 15-day visa-free travel for Indian tourists

2026-07-12T08:30:31.716-07:00

The Thailand Pavilion at TTF Kolkata 2026, showcasing traditional Thai culture through umbrella painting by Thai artists.

The event is supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Kolkata.

"We plan a 15-day visa-free policy for Indian tourists, but we need approval from the cabinet. The proposal has already been floated. It is not effective yet. It is still pending. We expect a new policy for India, particularly for Indian tourists. You can stay 15 days without a visa. For longer stays, you can apply for a visa very easily, " said Royal Thai Consulate-General, Kolkata.

West Bengal government working on a new tourism policy

2026-07-10T05:13:44.262-07:00

#Indonesia plans to buy additional #BrahMos from India

2026-07-06T10:06:39.822-07:00

Ahead of PM Modi's visit to Indonesia, reports suggest Jakarta is looking to expand its planned procurement of BrahMos

This comes weeks after Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said India's BrahMos export deal with Vietnam had already been signed, with Indonesia next in line

If finalised, the deal would further strengthen India's position as a reliable exporter of advanced defence systems.

The sale of additional BrahMos supersonic missile systems is expected to come up during Modi's three-day visit to the country.

India ⁠has already signed ⁠a deal with Vietnam under which it will supply BrahMos missiles which it has jointly ‌developed with Russia and is in “final stages” for a similar deal with Indonesia, India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on ⁠Saturday. India has a strong commitment ‌to Asean nations, Singh said, without disclosing more details ‌of the deals related to BrahMos.

India, which has been building ‌up ‌domestic defence manufacturing for local use ‌and exports, has already sold ⁠the supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines.

A deal with Vietnam could be worth about 60 ‌billion rupees (US$629 million), ‌including training and logistical support, a source previously said. BrahMos’ growing export appeal rests on a combination of raw performance and its proven combat abilities. The missile’s battlefield debut came during “Operation Sindoor” in May 2025, India’s military campaign against Pakistan following a militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, that killed at least 26 civilians.

World is at an inflection point : New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon

2026-07-06T09:32:47.878-07:00

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon has said that the world is at an "inflection point in global geopolitics." He argues that while the emerging multipolar order is still evolving, countries must strengthen multilateral institutions and deepen cooperation with like-minded partners to address shared global challenges.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit New Zealand in July, which would be Modi’s first head of government. This is a historic trip given that India and New Zealand, on 27 April 2026, concluded a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in New Delhi. The deal, which is undergoing ratification, gives a practical shape to the long-standing desire of both nations to deepen their commercial ties.

New Zealand has for a long time considered India as a “strategic partner,” given the weight of the Indian economy, its increasing role in global politics, and its geographical centrality in the Indo-Pacific. A stronger bilateral relationship also helps New Zealand to not rely too heavily on a small group of countries for its exports.

One factor that has brought the two countries closer is the presence of a large Indian community in New Zealand, estimated at around 300,000 people (six percent of the population). Through commerce, academic exchanges, cultural activities and family connections, this diaspora has served as a link, referred to as a “vital living bridge” between the two governments over many years.

The trade between the two countries is still relatively small when compared to the overall size of the Indian economy. New Zealand exported to India goods and services valued at NZ$2.03 billion in the year ending December 2025, which made India only its 11th largest export market. This figure suggests that much of the trade potential between the two economies is yet to be realized.

Arvind SmartSpaces declares dividend of Rs. 2.25/- per share for Q4 FY26

2026-05-20T09:31:41.706-07:00

Arvind SmartSpaces Ltd has announced its Q4 & FY26 Financial Results.

Q4 & FY26 Financial Results highlights

- Annual Booking Value of Rs. 1,550 Cr, YoY growth 22%

- Annual Collections of Rs. 1,100 Cr, YoY growth of 17%

- Quarterly Booking Value of Rs. 612 Cr; YoY growth of 61%

- Quarterly Collections of Rs. 355 Cr; YoY growth of 65%

- Net Operating Cash Flows of Rs. 417 Cr in FY26

- Crossed Rs. 100 Cr of PAT for consecutive years

- Acquired new projects with an expected topline of ~Rs. 3,140 Cr during FY26

- The Board of Directors recommended a final dividend of Rs. 2.25/- per equity share of face value of Rs. 10/- each

Arvind SmartSpaces (ASL) is one of India’s leading real estate development companies and a part of the Lalbhai Group. In March this year Pirojsha Adi Godrej had bought 8,17,530 shares in the real estate developer for ₹498 per share, while HDFC Capital Affordable Real Estate Fund-1 sold the same amount of shares for the similar price.

⁠Five year extension for state government jobs in #WB under #BJP

2026-05-11T02:21:00.000-07:00

Seven key decisions taken in the first cabinet meeting led by BJP led West Bengal government headed by CM Suvendu Adhikari today.

1. Appreciate efforts of EC, Observers, Kolkata Police, West Bengal Police.

2. ⁠As many as 321 BJP party workers killed paid respects by the cabinet, their families responsibility will be taken state govt.

3. ⁠Process for land transfer to BSF for erecting fence on India-Bangladesh border & complete work of land transfer by 45 days.

4. ⁠Ayushman Bharat scheme work begins, to be implemented soon. State enrolls itself under all central schemes like - PM Jan Arogya Yojana, Fasal Yojana, PM Viswakarma, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and all the other central schemes. Implementation soon. All petitions pending at centres for Ujjwala Yojana.

5. IAS & IPS officers will be allowed for central training. BNS was not implemented in the state.

6.West Bengal to implement BNS immediately.

7. ⁠Five year extension for state government jobs.