Spot premiums for Middle East crude extended their rally on Thursday to their highest in more than two years
South Asia
Latest in South Asia
Adani Enterprises
Dubai’s Emaar confirms talks with multiple companies to sell stake in India unit
The Dubai real estate company said in a disclosure to DFM that the valuations and other terms have not been finalised
Airline
IndiGo expands Saudi network with new Hyderabad-Madinah flight from February 20
Madinah is a significant destination for pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah
Bollywood
Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan stabbed in home robbery incident
Actor rushed to Lilavati Hospital after six wounds, two being reposted as serious, after he confronted the intruder
indian currency
Indian rupee makes historic plunge; dips past 86 against USD for the first time
The rupee’s slide show was accentuated by a record surge in crude oil prices, sustained outflow of foreign capital from India and a negative trend in domestic equity markets
India
Ultra-luxury home sales surge 17% in India to $554mn: Report
Mumbai accounted for the majority of ultra-luxury home sales last year
Aviation
India’s IndiGo announces discounted tickets for international, domestic travel in ‘Getaway Sale’
Tickets under the promo sales will be available with fares starting from $52.36 for international travel and $13.95 for domestic travel
Aviation
Saudi airline flyadeal announces 5 new routes, plans expansion to Pakistan
Flyadeal launches new domestic routes and reveals expansion to Pakistan in February
Adani Enterprises
Controversy-ridden Adani Group to make foray into petrochemical sector; partners with Thailand-based Indorama
Adani Petrochemicals and Indorama will hold a 50% stake each in the joint venture
China
China extends visa fee reductions for Indians
The initiative aims to simplify travel procedures and make it more accessible for Indian nationals and promoting tourism between the two nations
Air Kerala
Air Kerala to become India’s newest airline; eyes international operations
The airline is expected to emerge as a significant player in India’s aviation landscape, targeting the massive number of expats from the state working in the Middle East and other regions
Air India
Air India becomes first Indian carrier to introduce in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity
Starting 1 January 2025, Air India will offer in-flight Wi-Fi on A350, B787-9, and select A321neo flights
India
Tributes pour in for former Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh
The economist is widely credited as the man who kickstarted the development of modern India after opening up the economy during his tenure
Aviation
Flyadeal announces Karachi flights as it expands to South Asia
Flights from Riyadh and Jeddah commence on 2 February; CEO Greenway promises ‘an exciting year of expansion as more aircraft join the fleet’
Air France
Air France-KLM to launch new flights from Middle East, India in aggressive expansion bid
The India and Middle East region is of strategic importance to the Air France-KLM Group, Gumuseli said
dairy industry
Lulu Hypermarkets in Middle East to offer Milma’s dairy whitener from Indian state of Kerala
The product will be marketed in the Middle East by Lulu Group’s export division Fair Exports
Dubai
ShopDoc plans $50mn Dubai-Kerala healthcare corridor to tap medical tourism
Dubai-based digital healthcare firm Shopdoc reveals plans to invest $50 million to merge Kerala’s ancient healing traditions with the UAE’s cutting-edge healthcare facilities