(HT) Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, India’s biggest private port operator, announced on Thursday a $2.4 billion non-cash acquisition of a coal export terminal in Australia from a group company to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The Board of APSEZ “approved the acquisition of Abbot Point Port Holdings Pte Ltd (APPH), Singapore, from Carmichael Rail and Port Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd, Singapore (CRPSHPL)”, the company said in a statement. CRPSHPL is a related party. APPH owns the entities which own and operate the North Queensland Export Terminal, a dedicated export terminal with a current nameplate capacity of 50…
Author: Aruna Sharma
(HT) The world is going through a “very challenging” phase of trade calibrations, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday, warning that intensifying tariff wars and rising protectionist policies threaten to disrupt global supply chains. Speaking at the 150-year celebrations of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Sitharaman said that current trade tensions could “increase production cost and create uncertainty in investment decisions across borders,” with ripple effects on financial markets globally, including in India. Despite these challenges, the finance minister expressed confidence that India would navigate global disruptions effectively, citing the “robustness of Indian institutions and the government’s long-term…
(HT) The Lucknow Police on Thursday launched an initiative, ‘Eagle Mobile’, in a significant step towards strengthening grassroots-level crime control. Police commissioner Amarendra Kumar Sengar formed the crime surveillance teams with a primary objective of monitoring criminals and preparing their dossiers. Each police station will deploy an ‘Eagle Mobile’ team comprising two constables or head constables equipped with a two-wheeler vehicle and essential surveillance tools. These teams will be solely responsible for monitoring active/habitual criminals and will not be assigned routine law and order duties, stated a Lucknow Police release. Teams of two police personnel have been deployed in 51…
(HT) Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday met 112 people during a ‘Janata Darshan’ held at his official residence in Lucknow, issuing on-the-spot instructions to officials for swift redressal of their concerns. In a notable gesture during the event, the CM handed over electronic charging walking sticks to two differently-abled youths, Rajesh and Chandrashekhar, who had travelled from Chandauli seeking help. CM Yogi also interacted warmly with children accompanying their parents—holding them in his lap, feeding them, and distributing chocolates. Grievances raised by the attendees ranged from police complaints and revenue issues to requests for medical aid, pension disbursement, and…
(HT) Cow shelters across Uttar Pradesh are set to become self-reliant with the state government planning to utilise cow dung and urine for eco-friendly agricultural practices. These shelters will promote sustainable farming, enhance soil fertility, and generate economic benefits for farmers, officials said. “We are working at all levels to make the cow shelters self-reliant. By talking to the National Dairy Development Board, agriculture department and other stakeholders, we will make vermicompost in all the animal shelters which will be sold to the farmers and will promote natural cow-based agriculture,” animal husbandry minister Dharmpal Singh told PTI. “For this, projects…
(HT) India’s average crude oil import price fell to a 42-month low of $71.20 a barrel in the first fortnight of March because of the Chinese slowdown, international efforts for a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and US president Donald Trump’s resolve to boost American oil output, though it’s not a given that domestic retail prices will come down. India, which imports over 88% of the crude oil it processes, had last witnessed an average monthly oil import price of the Indian basket below $70 a barrel in August 2021. Since then, the monthly average saw an upward movement…
(HT) Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said MLAs have been told to help people acquire Ayushman cards in their respective constituencies. Gupta’s remarks came after a high level meeting with ministers in the Delhi Secretariat to accelerate Ayushman card distribution. “At least 169,000 cards have been issued and are now to be distributed. Public representatives have been urged to assist in this distribution, which will be carried out through district-level mechanisms. All the MLAs have been tasked with helping people in their areas get the cards. Work should start immediately to identify the location of 1,139 Arogya Mandirs to…
(PIB) National Handloom Development Corporation under the aegis of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, launched “SPECIAL HANDLOOM EXPO” at their Corporate Office in NOIDA. The event brings together handloom weavers from across 13 states and aims at renewed focus on the age-old tradition of Handloom weaving and provides an added platform for weavers to sell their products directly to customers. The highlights of the event include; 25 stalls of Handloom products showcasing exquisite varieties of Sarees, Dress Material, stoles, dupattas etc. Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary (Textiles) visited the expo to interact with weavers and appreciated the efforts being…
(The New Indian Express) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Naxalism will be eliminated from the country by March 31, 2026 and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the CRPF will play a major role in it. He was addressing the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) 86th Raising Day function in Madhya Pradesh’s Neemuch district. “The menace of Naxalism will end in the country by March 31, 2026, as stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the CAPF and CRPF, especially its CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) unit, will play a major role in it,” Shah…
(PIB) The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is happy to announce that on the occasion of ‘International Day for Monuments and Sites’, celebrated globally on 18th April, no fee shall be charged on visiting ASI monuments across India. This initiative aims to encourage visitors to explore India’s rich cultural heritage. With 3,698 monuments and sites under its protection, ASI is offering this opportunity to reconnect with the country’s historical legacy and architectural marvels. This year’s theme for ‘International Day for Monuments and Sites; is ‘Heritage under threat from disaster and conflicts.’ where awareness is being spread on safeguarding the heritage sites…