Blog

30 Jun

Adani Ports Sells 49% Stake in Vizhinjam Port to MSC Group

nanikaBusiness

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group, through its terminal operator Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), has signed a definitive agreement with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) to acquire a 49 per cent stake in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited (AVPPL) for approximately $1.4 billion. The transaction values the port at $2.85 billion and is regarded by APSEZ as the largest foreign private investment in Indian port infrastructure. The deal remains subject to customary regulatory approvals. APSEZ said the strategic partnership is expected to accelerate the growth of Vizhinjam Port by increasing cargo volumes, strengthening its position as a leading…

30 Jun

WhatsApp Set to Introduce Usernames, Reducing Dependence on Phone Numbers

anuprovaBusiness

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature that will allow users to connect through unique usernames instead of sharing their phone numbers, marking a significant step toward enhancing privacy on the messaging platform. The feature, which is currently under development, is expected to enable users to create a distinctive username that others can use to find and contact them without revealing their personal mobile number. The move aligns WhatsApp more closely with other messaging services that rely on usernames for user identification while addressing growing concerns about privacy and unwanted access to personal contact information. Once introduced, the feature could…

30 Jun

Hyatt expands Brand Explorer rewards to boost Asia Pacific travel

Business BureauBusiness

Hyatt has expanded its World of Hyatt Brand Explorer Award initiative across the Asia Pacific region, offering members greater incentives to explore its portfolio of hospitality brands while earning complimentary stays. Under the programme, members can receive a Free Night Award at a Category 1–4 Hyatt hotel after staying at five different Hyatt brands, with additional rewards available for every subsequent five unique brands experienced over the lifetime of their membership. The hospitality chain said the initiative covers 36 Hyatt brands globally, including 17 across Asia Pacific, catering to leisure, business and premium travellers. Hyatt's portfolio spans luxury, lifestyle, classic…

29 Jun

No FIR After 72 Hours: THRC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of West Tripura Assault Case

PreetiTripura

The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has ordered a detailed inquiry into the alleged assault of a woman in West Tripura district, taking suo motu cognisance of the incident based on a report published in a local daily. The Commission, headed by Justice Arindam Lodh, directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Tripura, to investigate the allegations and submit a comprehensive report before the Commission. According to the newspaper report examined by the THRC, the incident took place at Tata Kalibari under Takarjala Police Station. It alleged that despite more than 72 hours having passed since the incident, no FIR…

29 Jun

Revenue Boost Drive: Assam CM Reviews Forest, Mineral Sectors With Finance Minister

PreetiAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials from the Environment & Forest and Finance Departments to review strategies for enhancing revenue from the state's forest and mineral resources. The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, who later said that discussions focused on improving resource management, strengthening revenue generation, and tightening regulatory oversight in the forest and mining sectors. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to streamline the e-Transit Permit (e-TP) system to ensure greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the transportation of forest produce and minerals. Sarma…

29 Jun

Tripura’s Child Care Institutions Can Be a Model for Other States, Says Union Minister Annapurna Devi

ParomitaTripura

Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, on Monday lauded Tripura's model of Child Care Institutes (CCIs), saying that the state's CCI model can serve as a template for other states to emulate.On the second day of her three-day visit to Tripura, the Union Minister visited the Saksham Anganwadi Centre, a Child Care Institution and the newly constructed Working Women Hostel at Abhoynagar in Agartala.She interacted with children at the Anganwadi Centre and the Child Care Institution, reviewed the facilities, planted a sapling on the institution premises.Speaking to the media the minister said, the environment created in Tripura…

29 Jun

Relentless Rains Batter Arunachal, IAF Launches Rescue Missions Amid Floods and Landslides

ParomitaArunachal Pradesh

Heavy monsoon rains continued to wreak havoc across Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, with rescue operations underway in several districts as floods and landslides damaged roads, bridges and houses, claimed lives and disrupted connectivity across at least 12 districts.In Lower Dibang Valley district, four people stranded on an island in Sisiri River in Dambuk area were rescued by an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter on Monday.Heavy rainfall has also severely damaged the Roing-Anini road in Lower Dibang Valley district, with flash floods washing away roads and bridges at several locations.Heavy rainfall has also severely damaged the Roing-Anini road in Lower Dibang…

29 Jun

‘OpArunoday’ Opens New Frontier Trek Route, Promotes Tourism and Border Livelihoods

ParomitaArunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu flagged off 'OpArunoday', a joint military-civil trekking expedition, from the historic Jaswantgarh War Memorial in Tawang district, a defence spokesperson said."The future of Arunachal’s frontier lies not only in safeguarding it, but also in enabling people to experience it responsibly. Operation Arunoday is a unique civil-military initiative to open the trekking route from Thingbu village to Bajrang Peak (5,583 m), unlocking the adventure tourism potential of Arunachal Pradesh while creating new opportunities for local communities and bringing greater visibility to our frontier," said Khandu."Immensely happy to have flagged off this expedition, jointly undertaken by…

29 Jun

Community Body Flags Alleged PLA Expansion in Arunachal’s Upper Subansiri, Submits Memorandum

ParomitaArunachal Pradesh

Raising concerns about what it describes as encroachment by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in areas along the India-China border, a community organisation from Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district has urged the authorities to examine the matter.The Nah Welfare Society (NWS) has submitted a memorandum to the Upper Subansiri district Deputy Commissioner, alleging that Chinese forces have gradually established roads, bridges and military camps in locations the organisation claims lie within the Indian territory.According to the memorandum, these developments have taken place over the past decade and have affected traditional grazing lands, hunting grounds and ancestral areas…

29 Jun

Lower Siang Administration Warns of Possible Flash Flood as Landslide Blocks River Flow

ParomitaArunachal Pradesh

The Lower Siang District Administration in Arunachal Pradesh has issued a safety advisory to residents of the district following a massive landslide that has completely blocked the flow of the Siji River (Gai Nadi) at Siji-Magi Block Point, creating a temporary natural dam.“This poses an extremely serious and life-threatening situation. If the blockage suddenly collapses, it could trigger a powerful flash flood without warning, endangering lives, homes, livestock, roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure downstream,” an official statement said.“All residents of Lower Siang District, especially those in Likabali, villages along the Siji River (Gai Nadi), and downstream areas in neighbouring…