SriLankan Airlines Expands Fleet with First New Wide-Body Aircraft in Seven Years, ET TravelWorld
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SriLankan Airlines inducts first wide-body aircraft in seven years, signals fleet expansion
SriLankan Airlines has added an Airbus A330-200 to its fleet—the first wide-body aircraft acquisition in seven years. The aircraft arrived from Paris with a ceremonial fly-past and touched down at Bandaranaike International Airport. The addition takes the fleet size to 23 and underscores the airline's strategy to enhance long-haul capacity amid growing international travel demand.
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
UAE: Dh3,200 for students, tailored housing aid rolled out to support low-income Emirati families
Low-income Emirati families without housing support receive tailored monthly allowances, while high-achieving university students with a GPA of 3.3+ get up to Dh3,200 monthly/ Representative image TL;DR The UAE has launched new housing and academic allowances for low-income Emirati families. Housing aid is tailored to family size and living conditions, for those without other government housing support. Students with a GPA of 3.3+ can receive up to Dh3,200 per month in education support—even through remote study. In a major expansion of the national social safety net, the UAE Ministry of Community Empowerment has introduced two critical new allowances, the Housing Allowance and the Academic Excellence Allowance for Higher Education, to support Emirati families with limited income. These initiatives, announced on July 25, 2025, are part of the Social Support and Empowerment Programme, a federal effort aimed at improving living standards, fostering academic achievement, and promoting long-term self-reliance among low-income Emirati citizens. The two allowances are designed to offer direct support and targeted incentives, particularly for families that are not already covered by existing housing assistance schemes, and for high-achieving students enrolled in UAE-based universities. A Closer Look at the Housing Allowance The Housing Allowance is targeted at Emirati families already enrolled in the Social Support and Empowerment Programme but not receiving any form of government housing support. The allowance is meant to ensure household stability and provide tailored assistance based on family size and living conditions. Key features include: The allowance amount is calculated based on the number of family members and the type of housing. The ministry differentiates between families living independently and those sharing accommodation with other households in the same unit. Special provisions exist for orphans and for children of incarcerated individuals, offering them flexible and comprehensive access to the housing support. This targeted support plays a pivotal role in ensuring that vulnerable segments of society, especially those not covered by earlier housing initiatives, can live in stable, secure environments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain Keeping You Up at Night? This Trick Could Help Instantly Read More Undo Academic Excellence Allowance Raised to Dh3,200 per Month The Academic Excellence Allowance for Higher Education has been enhanced to provide more meaningful support for high-performing university students. The initiative is meant to incentivize academic achievement among youth from low-income families and contribute to long-term national capacity building. Details include: The maximum allowance amount is Dh3,200 per month. Eligibility is restricted to students enrolled in accredited higher education institutions within the UAE, who maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0. Students enrolled in accredited distance learning programs at UAE institutions are also eligible. The allowance reflects the government's dedication to investing in promising talent and promoting academic excellence as a key pillar of personal and national development. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to nurture young Emiratis' skills and align them with the country's long-term goals for innovation, education, and productivity. How to Apply: A Digital-First Process In keeping with the UAE's commitment to digital transformation and service efficiency, the application process for both allowances has been made seamless and accessible: Applications can be submitted via the 'My Files' section on the official Ministry of Community Empowerment website: The processing time for completed applications is 21 days. The system is built to be user-centric and inclusive, ensuring timely assistance for all qualified applicants. The ministry emphasized that all applications are evaluated based on complete documentation and that special mechanisms are in place to address exceptional cases, such as those involving orphans or children of incarcerated individuals. Reinforcing the National Safety Net These new allowances are part of a wider push by the UAE government to strengthen social protection mechanisms. The Social Support and Empowerment Programme was significantly bolstered in 2022 when President Sheikh Mohamed announced a Dh28 billion ($7.6 billion) package to assist low-income Emirati families. As part of this initiative: Annual financial support for eligible families was raised from Dh2.7 billion to Dh5 billion. The total social support budget was doubled, increasing from Dh14 billion to Dh28 billion. Eligible families earning less than Dh25,000 ($6,800) per month receive a range of benefits, including: Dh5,000 monthly aid for citizens aged 45 and older Housing allowance of up to Dh2,500 per month Academic Excellence Allowance of Dh3,200 per month Unemployment support of Dh5,000 per month for six months Inflation compensation, covering food, electricity, water, and fuel costs An Integrated Model for Empowerment These latest allowances reflect what officials are calling an 'integrated Emirati model,' a system that combines direct financial support with performance-based incentives. This model not only addresses the immediate needs of low-income families but also encourages long-term independence, excellence, and societal participation. In a statement accompanying the launch, the Ministry of Community Empowerment said: 'These allowances are part of the UAE's broader strategy for social empowerment. They represent a commitment to enhancing individual capabilities and creating pathways toward self-reliance.' As the UAE continues to fine-tune its approach to social development, the launch of these new allowances marks another step in ensuring inclusive growth and fostering a resilient, empowered society. FAQs: Q. Who can apply for the housing allowance? Emirati families enrolled in the Social Support and Empowerment Programme who do not receive any other housing support. Q. What are the eligibility criteria for the academic excellence allowance? Students must be enrolled in an accredited UAE university (on-campus or remote) and maintain a GPA of at least 3.3. Q. How much is the education allowance? Up to Dh3,200 per month for high-achieving university students. Q. How do I apply for these allowances? Applications must be submitted through the Ministry of Community Empowerment's digital platform at ; processing takes up to 21 days.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Broadway bus terminus to be closed for redevelopment of multi modal facility in the first week of August
The Broadway Bus terminus is expected to be closed for redevelopment in the first week of August as the Chennai Corporation has completed work on the temporary bus terminus near NRT Bridge (Clive Battery) on Ibrahim Salai in Royapuram. At a meeting on Thursday, officials of various agencies agreed to start operations of the temporary bus terminus in the first week of August. Residents have demanded better connectivity between Beach Station and the temporary bus stand to improve public transportation during a period of 30 months of construction of the multi modal facility in Broadway. Chennai Corporation has constructed 55 bus bays, 900 sq m of pedestrian waiting platform with covered shelter, 65 RCC chairs, new bituminous road covering 5300 sq m, 35 street lights of 12 m height, 31 LED focus lights and 200 sq m of passenger waiting hall with 50 chairs. The civic body has installed RO drinking water facility at the temporary bus terminus. As residents have demanded councillors to talk about the safety of women in the temporary bus terminus, GCC has planned several facilities to promote safety. Aavin will create a parlour for passengers in the temporary bus terminus. In a bid to prevent flooding of the area, GCC has created 250 m of storm water drains around the bus terminus. A sewer network measuring 200 m has also been completed. A water sump with a capacity of 21,000 litres has also been completed. GCC has also created facilities for first aid and mothers' feeding rooms, dining rooms for MTC staff and ticket counters. As many as 51 toilet seats have been completed. Self-help groups will be permitted to set up shops in the temporary bus terminus. Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited (CMAML), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of CMRL will develop the multi modal facility in Broadway with viability gap funding of Rs.200 crore from the State government for the bus terminal, soft loan of RS. 115 crore from CMDA for external infrastructure and term loan of Rs.506 crore from TUFIDCO to GCC. A skywalk will be constructed at a cost of Rs.74 crore to connect Metrorail, suburban and bus terminus in Broadway.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business Standard
India developing three types of small modular reactors: Jitendra Singh
India is developing three different types of small modular reactors (SMRs), including one dedicated to the production of hydrogen, mostly in the form of captive plants for energy-intensive industries, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Thursday. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Singh said the three types of SMRs -- 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), 55 MWe SMR and 5 MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor -- for the production of hydrogen are being designed and developed indigenously. "In-principle approval has been obtained for the construction of these demonstration reactors. These demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72 months after receipt of administrative sanction of projects," he said. The minister said the lead units of BSMR and SMR are planned to be installed at Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) sites in collaboration with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). "An estimate prepared based on the experience of setting up of 220 MWe plants indicates that the overall cost for the lead unit of 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) will be about Rs 5,750 crore," said Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office that oversees the DAE. A 5 MWth high temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (GCR) is also planned to be used exclusively for hydrogen production by coupling with a suitable thermochemical hydrogen production process, he said. The potential thermo-chemical technologies for hydrogen production, such as Copper-Chloride (Cu-Cl) and Iodine-Sulphur (I-S) cycles, have already been developed and demonstrated by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Singh said. Necessary technology for the deployment of these reactors is available in the country and the majority of equipment is within the manufacturing capability of the Indian industry with technological handholding by the DAE, he said. "These plants are designed & developed considering deployment as captive power plants, repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based plants and hydrogen production to support the transport sector with the prime objective of decarbonisation," Singh said. Presently, the installed nuclear power capacity in the country comprises 25 reactors with a total capacity of 8,880 MW, including RAPS-1 (100 MW), which is under long-term shutdown. Two units of 700 MWe each Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) 3 and 4 and one 700 MWe unit at Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP-7) have already commenced commercial operation. At present, 18 reactors with a total capacity of 13,600 MW, including 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor implemented by BHAVINI, are at various stages of implementation. On the progressive completion of these units, the installed nuclear power capacity will reach 22,480 MW, Singh said.
