Promote electronics units in Rayalaseema: Andhra CM
Reviewing the Electronics Components Manufacturing Policy 4.0 at the State Secretariat on Monday, Naidu said Rayalaseema is an apt location for setting up the units. Opportunities are abundant in Sri City, Hindupur, Kopparthy and other places in Rayalaseema for manufacturing of electronics components. Officials should attract investments in a big way for setting up electronics manufacturing units in Rayalaseema, he said.
The new policy aims to attract investments in the electronics sector during 2025-30. Officials informed Naidu that the policy is designed to reduce electronics imports, boost domestic production, and focus on exports. They revealed that India imported electronics circuit boards worth USD 70 billion last year, highlighting the sector's immense demand.
Naidu stressed that self-reliance in electronics and achieving 'Make in India' targets be prioritised. AP should launch large-scale manufacturing initiatives to meet global demand, and create its brand for these products, the Chief Minister said.
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Indian Express
10 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Donald Trump to open new Scotland golf course during ‘working trip'
US President Donald Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday for what the White House has described as a 'working trip,' coinciding with the upcoming opening of a new Trump-branded golf course on the northeastern coast. Overlooking the steel-gray waves of the North Sea and set among dramatic sand dunes in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, the new course is part of what Trump's family business is promoting as 'the greatest 36 holes in golf.' 'At some point, maybe in my very old age, I'll go there and do the most beautiful thing you've ever seen,' Trump had said in 2023 during his civil fraud trial in New York, referring to plans for further development on the Scottish property. Now 79 and back in the White House, Trump is delivering on part of that vision. Tee times for the new course, set to open officially on August 13, are already up for sale. While in the United Kingdom, Trump is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a conversation he said would occur 'probably at one of my properties.' The president also plans to visit another Trump course near Turnberry on Scotland's southwest coast, about 200 miles from the Balmedie site. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers described the Scotland leg as a 'working trip,' but added: 'He has built the best and most beautiful world-class golf courses anywhere in the world, which is why they continue to be used for prestigious tournaments and by the most elite players in the sport.' Presidential travel of this scale comes with significant costs. According to Pentagon data from fiscal year 2022 as cited by AP, helicopters designated as Marine One cost between $16,700 and nearly $20,000 per hour to operate. The Boeing 747s that serve as Air Force One cost around $200,000 per hour, not including additional military cargo aircraft that fly ahead with official vehicles and staff support. Ethics watchdogs have raised concerns about how the trip benefits Trump's business interests. 'We're at a point where the Trump administration is so intertwined with the Trump business that he doesn't seem to see much of a difference,' said Jordan Libowitz of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, as per AP. 'It's as if the White House were almost an arm of the Trump Organization.' The Trump Organization, run by Trump's children while he is in office, has signed several new foreign agreements, including luxury golf-related projects in Vietnam and Qatar. This comes even as the administration continues trade negotiations with those countries. His existing Aberdeen-area course, Trump International Scotland, has faced its share of legal and environmental controversies. It struggled financially and was found to have partially destroyed protected sand dunes, according to Scottish conservation authorities. The company also lost a lawsuit aimed at blocking a nearby wind farm, arguing that it obstructed views for golfers. Trump's business was ordered to cover the Scottish government's legal fees after the failed challenge. That property also figured prominently in the New York civil fraud case, where prosecutors accused Trump of inflating the value of undeveloped housing plans on the site to secure loans. A judge ruled last year that Trump was liable and ordered him to pay $355 million, reported AP, a figure that has since risen to more than $510 million with interest, as Trump appeals the decision. Trump follows a long line of American presidents with a passion for golf, and some history in Scotland. Dwight D. Eisenhower played at Turnberry in 1959, while George W. Bush visited Gleneagles in 2005 without playing. Golf's origins trace back to Scotland's Middle Ages, with one of the earliest references being a 1457 Scottish Parliament resolution that tried to ban the game — and soccer — for distracting men from archery practice. Trump, considered one of the more skilled presidential golfers, boasts a reported handicap of 2.5, though he has not posted an official score with the US Golf Association since 2021. By comparison, President Joe Biden's handicap is 6.7, and Barack Obama once claimed an 'honest 13.' A handicap in golf is a numerical measure of a golfer's playing ability, designed to allow players of different skill levels to compete fairly against each other by leveling the playing field. (With inputs from AP)
News18
10 minutes ago
- News18
Tea-loving Nepal warming up to coffee
Agency: Last Updated: July 25, 2025, 12:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kathmandu (Nepal), Jul 25 (AP) Coffee hasn't always been an easy sell in Nepal. The Himalayan country is a major tea producer, as well as a major consumer. When people greet each other in the morning, they don't ask 'how are you." They say, 'Have you had your tea?" Tea — usually served as a sweet, milky beverage in a piping hot glass tumbler — is as much a part of Nepal's culture as rice, a constant presence at homes, meetings and social gatherings. But a growing number of Nepalis are warming up to coffee, as trendy cafes spring up on street corners in cities and towns across the country. Nepalis started trying coffee in the 90s One cafe in the capital, Kathmandu, is widely seen as the pioneer. Gagan Pradhan began Himalayan Java as a single cafe in an alley, and it's grown to a chain with 84 locations across the country. Pradhan estimates there are around 7,000 cafes across the country, although so far international brands like Starbucks aren't in Nepal. 'There are a lot of tea shops throughout the nation, but the kind of set-up they have is still kind of old-fashioned," Pradhan said. 'I think with investors and people like us, when it comes to a coffee shop, we are more serious not only with machines, we are serious with everything like the lighting, the set-up, the furnishings, the location." Pradhan said tea shops usually offer just black tea or tea with milk, whereas a typical coffee menu has 10-15 hot beverages and about 10-15 cold beverages, he said. Pradhan said it's an appealing business because the initial investment to open a cafe is very low, they're clean and simple enough for a single person or family to run, and customers are willing to pay more for coffee. Several of eastern Nepal's tea plantations in the mountains of eastern Nepal, famous for the tea, are now joined by coffee plantations. Coffee is expensive, but it's a lifestyle. Nepal is part of a regional trend. Coffee consumption has soared across traditionally tea-drinking countries in Asia as members of growing middle classes seek out novel flavours and adopt international trends. Coffee is a premium drink in Nepal: it costs about USD 2 at Himalayan Java, which is enough to buy a meal at a local cafe in Kathmandu, or five cups of tea. Still, cafes bustle with office workers on breaks and students looking for places to study. 'I think the idea of drinking coffee (in Nepal) was first triggered with people thinking it would elevate their standard of living, but then once they tasted coffee, many people just liked it and continued to drink it," said Deep Singh Bandari, a social worker who is a regular visitor to the coffee cafes. Nepal is starting to produce coffee, too. Most of the coffee drunk in Nepal is imported, but in the country's famous eastern tea-growing regions, coffee plantations are springing up. Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to Nepal's National Tea and Coffee Development Board, about 400 tons of coffee were produced in fiscal year 2021-22, the most recent for which data is available. That's a drop in the percolator compared to the 26,000 tons of tea produced the same year, but the board predicts rapid growth. 'Both young and old people in Nepal just love coffee, and the number of coffee drinkers is growing every day. This trend is just going to grow," said Pradhan. (AP) SKS GRS GRS (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments News agency-feeds Tea-loving Nepal warming up to coffee Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kuwait: Going abroad? You might need a physical Kuwaiti driving license, here's what to do next
Kuwait reinstates physical driving licenses for expats, easing travel abroad/ Representative Image TL;DR Expats in Kuwait can now reissue a physical driving license for KD 10 ($32.80 USD). The decision follows a 2025 policy change effective April 13. Physical licenses are essential for driving or renting cars overseas. If you're an expat in Kuwait and planning to travel abroad, you've likely run into a frustrating roadblock: the digital Kuwaiti driving license isn't always accepted outside the country. Whether you're trying to rent a car or just need valid ID while traveling, that digital copy on your phone may not cut it. But as of April 2025, things have changed. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has reinstated the option for expats to get a printed, physical driving license. This decision comes after more than a year of restrictions that made digital-only licenses the norm. Now, with a simple process and a KD 10 fee ($32.80 USD), expats can once again carry a physical license, something that's actually recognized in most countries. Here's a clear, step-by-step guide on how to get yours. Why Did Kuwait Stop Printing Licenses in the First Place? In late 2023, Kuwait's General Traffic Department moved all types of driving licenses, including learner permits, fare services, instructor cards, and personal licenses, to a digital-only system. These were available via the MOI (Ministry of Interior) and Kuwait Mobile ID apps. The move was meant to streamline government services and cut down on paperwork. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo But the change had one major downside: digital licenses weren't widely recognized outside Kuwait. Many expats found themselves unable to rent vehicles or drive abroad, even with a valid digital license. The New Rule: What Changed in April 2025? In April 2025, following a ministerial decision by the Ministry of Interior, the government reinstated the option for expatriates to obtain a printed copy of their driving license. This change was officially published in the Kuwait Al Youm gazette, and it took effect immediately. Now, for a KD 10 printing fee, you can request a physical license again. Note: The digital license is still fully valid for use inside Kuwait. The physical license is optional and mainly useful if you're traveling abroad. Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Physical License 1. Go to the Right Traffic Department Visit the traffic department (muroor) of the same governorate where your license was originally issued. It might not be the one near your home. Be prepared for different waiting times based on whether you're applying as an individual, expat, or on behalf of a company. 2. Request and Fill Out the Application Head to the typing section and ask for a reissuance form. The typing service usually costs KD 1. You'll need to bring: A copy of your Civil ID A copy of your digital license (from the Kuwait Mobile ID app) Your old physical license (if you still have it) 3. Submit the Form and Pay the Fee Hand over the filled form at the designated counter. After it's checked and stamped: Pay the KD 10($32.80 USD) reissuance fee If your old physical license is missing, expect to pay an extra KD 10($32.80 USD) 4. Print and Collect Once everything's approved and paid, go to the printing counter. Hand over your documents and wait for your name to be called. Your new physical license will be printed and issued the same day, depending on how busy the center is. Why You Might Still Need a Physical License A digital driving license works well inside Kuwait. It's accepted by traffic police, government offices, and for most identification needs. But outside Kuwait, it can be a different story. Many countries still expect a physical driver's license when you rent a car or deal with local authorities. Some car rental agencies and traffic officials may not recognize digital-only licenses, especially if they aren't familiar with Kuwait's digital system. A printed license helps avoid these issues. It also makes it easier to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP), which usually requires a valid physical license as part of the application. In short, if you're planning to drive abroad, it's safer to carry a physical license along with your IDP, just to be sure. FAQ 1. Is it mandatory to get a physical license? No. If you only drive inside Kuwait, the digital license is still valid. But if you're traveling, it's safer to have a physical copy. 2. How long does it take to get the physical license printed? Usually same-day, if your documents are in order and there's not a large queue. But delays can happen during peak hours. 3. What if I lost my old physical license? You can still get a new one, but you'll likely need to pay an extra KD 10. Bring all available documents to support your request.
