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NaBFID plans $500 million equity fund to boost infrastructure financing

NaBFID's entry into equity marks an expansion of its toolkit beyond traditional debt and a bid to appeal to a broader swath of investors as the country's infrastructure needs accelerate

Jack Daniel's maker Brown-Forman to launch more premium brands in India

India's affluent buyers splurge on everything from jewellery to pricey liquor, making the country a focus for global brands

Qatar rejects Iran's claim it targeted only US interests in Doha

This is the first engagement between Iran and Qatar made public since the war started over the weekend

Fashion qcom startups prioritise experience-led shopping over speed

Fashion quick commerce startups are shifting focus from speed to experience-led shopping, offering features such as discovery, personalisation, try-at-home options to tackle online shopping challenges

India cuts urea output after Qatar LNG supplies suspended due to Iran war

There are enough stockpiles to meet demand for the near-term, according to Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, director general of Fertiliser Association of India

Iran intelligence signalled openness to talks with CIA to end war: Report

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday ruled out for now any negotiations with the United States, days after the US and Israel launched joint strikes on his country

Qatar declares force majeure on gas exports; restart may take weeks: Report

Qatar supplies Europe and predominantly Asian markets, with over 80 per cent of its customers in China, Japan, India, South Korea, Pakistan and other countries in the region

Mayyu Ali's memoir examines how innocuous processes can be political acts

Mayyu Ali's terrifying yet hopeful memoir makes one think about how seemingly innocuous processes like birth registration are loaded with political significance

US submarine torpedoes Iranian naval ship off Sri Lanka, confirms Hegseth

A top Sri Lankan official says 32 people have been rescued from a sinking Iranian naval ship off Sri Lanka's southern coast and have been admitted to a hospital. Dr Anil Jasinghe, a top health ministry official, says one of them is in critical condition, seven are receiving emergency treatment, and others are treated for minor injuries. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament that Sri Lanka's navy received information that the ship Iris Dena with 180 on board was in distress, and that the island nation sent ships and air force planes on a rescue mission. There were no immediate details as to how the sailors were wounded and how the ship was damaged.

Tamil Nadu unveils Shipbuilding Policy 2026 to boost green tech

In a definitive push toward environmental stewardship in the maritime sector, the Tamil Nadu government has placed green shipbuilding and circular economy practices at the forefront of its newly unveiled Shipbuilding Policy 2026. The policy aims to establish the state as a global leader in sustainable maritime technology, focusing on zero-emission vessels and world-class green recycling facilities. Released by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday, the policy provides specialised incentives for the construction of "green vessels," including those powered by green hydrogen, ammonia, and electric propulsion. These initiatives are designed to align with India's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which targets a significant reduction in carbon emissions across the shipping fleet. A key highlight of the policy is the promotion of Green Ship Recycling clusters. To discourage hazardous dismantling practices, the state has announced a 15 per cent capital subsidy for the first fiv

Karnataka panel backs move to grant Tulu isecond official language status

A high-level committee constituted by the Karnataka government to study the framework adopted by Andhra Pradesh for recognising Urdu as a second official language has submitted its report, backing the state's move to accord similar status to Tulu. The six-member panel, headed by K M Gayatri, former Director of the Kannada and Culture Department, examined the procedures followed by the Andhra Pradesh government before granting second official language status to Urdu, officials said on Wednesday. The committee undertook a field visit to the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat on January 19 and 20 and held consultations with senior officials to understand the legal provisions, administrative mechanisms, and implementation benchmarks involved, they said. The panel also included Tharanatha Gatti Kapikad, president of the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, in an advisory capacity. The report, along with a detailed note outlining Tulu's historical, linguistic, and cultural significance, was submitted

Indian gas firms restrict local supplies due to West Asia conflict

The US and Israel's air war on Iran has disrupted fuel shipments in the region, affecting India's key supplier of liquefied natural gas, Qatar

India grapples with grid curtailment, biggest test yet on energy transition

Rising renewable energy capacity is straining India's grid, forcing curtailments and raising concerns over stability

Hormuz shutdown worsens after US hits Iran warship, tankers stranded

Hundreds of other vessels remained outside Hormuz unable to reach ports, shipping data showed. The waterway is a key artery for around a fifth of the world's oil and LNG supply

Nepal to hold general election on Thursday, first after Gen Z protests

Voting will be held on Thursday for the general elections, the first one to be held after a Gen Z youth led protest toppled the K P Sharma Oli-led government in Nepal last year. More than 18.9 million eligible Nepalese will exercise their franchise to elect 275 member House of Representatives (HoR) from among the 3,406 candidates vying for 165 seats under direct voting and 3,135 candidates vying for 110 seats through proportionate voting. The election campaign concluded mid-night of Monday, March 2. The voting will start at 7 am on Thursday, March 5, and conclude at 5 pm. Acting Chief election commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari told media persons on Wednesday, "This time the voting percentage will increase and the percentage of invalid ballot papers will also decline due to improved voter education launched by the commission." He also sought cooperation from all sides to conduct the election successfully. The Gen Z youth through their two-day intensified protests on September 8 and

Google Gemini accused of coaching user to suicide in new lawsuit

In a statement, a Google spokesperson said that Gemini clarified to Jonathan Gavalas that it was AI and referred him to a crisis hotline many times

BJP leader dismisses rumours of Nitish Kumar moving to RS as Holi prank

Bihar was abuzz with speculation on Wednesday over rumours that JD(U) president and the state's longest-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may move to the Rajya Sabha, paving the way for the BJP to take the top post while accommodating his son Nishant as deputy CM. However, senior BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh dismissed the rumour as a "Holi prank", asserting "Nitish Kumar ji is the chief minister". The filing of nomination papers for five Rajya Sabha seats in the state will close on Thursday. While the BJP has named its two candidates, including national general secretary Nitin Nabin, and confirmed a second consecutive term for junior NDA ally Upendra Kushwaha, the JD(U) is yet to officially announce its nominees. The rumours of Kumar, who turned 75 earlier this month, being one of the candidates of JD(U), surfaced a day after the party had announced that his son Nishant would be making a belated entry into politics. Earlier, there were speculations that the reclus

Oman Air Cargo to add India, Europe network capacity in coming days

Oman Air Cargo, a key cargo carrier in the Middle East, has announced to add network capacity to various destinations, including India, soon. The cargo player has suspended flights to and from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Dubai due to ongoing regional airspace closures. "Extra belly hold capacity will also be added to our network over the coming days through new flights between Oman, the United Kingdom, Europe, India, and Asia," the company said in a statement. "Flights across the rest of our network may be delayed as a result of longer flight paths. We are working to ensure that all affected cargo is rescheduled once we have more clarity on airspace restrictions," it added. "All customers are being contacted to confirm the status of their cargo, and we will continue to provide regular operational updates. The safety of our staff remains our priority, and we are working closely with the relevant authorities and airport partners to ensure that all necessary precautions are in

IRGC threatens 'region's complete destruction' as West Asia conflict widens

The statement, broadcast through Iran's state media, marked one of the most direct warnings issued by the organisation since the conflict begun five days ago

Israel strikes Iran's Assembly where clerics met to pick successor

Israel was likely targeting the Assembly of Experts, a Shia clerical body tasked with electing a supreme leader after Khamenei was killed in Israeli and US strikes on Saturday