Saudi Arabia signed housing and construction agreements worth $507 million with Chinese partners, including China State Construction Engineering, during a visit to Shenzhen. The deals aim to deepen cooperation on urban development projects and support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy, expanding beyond traditional construction to smart-city technologies.
Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif, during his China visit, sought a swift tech partnership with Alibaba. Chairman Joe Tsai used Alibaba's AI tool, Qwen, to draft a strategic agreement on-site, facilitating a rapid deal for AI infrastructure, cloud computing, healthcare, e-commerce, and digital payments.
The Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea challenging the environmental clearance for Pipavav port expansion in Gujarat, questioning environmentalists' stance on development projects. The court emphasized the necessity of infrastructure for national development, while allowing the environmentalist to approach the NGT again with specific objections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Sikkim's 50th Statehood celebrations in Gangtok, launching over 30 development projects worth thousands of crores. He referred to the eight northeastern states as India's 'Asht Lakshmi' and emphasized the government's commitment to both 'Act East' and 'act fast' policies for the region. Modi described the preceding roadshow as unforgettable, noting participation from 21 ethnic communities and hailing the event as a showcase of India's unity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his government's 'Act Fast' policy for India's eight northeast states during Sikkim's golden jubilee celebrations, describing the region as 'Ashtalakshmi' (multifaceted prosperity). He unveiled development projects worth over Rs 4,000 crore, including expressways from Bagdogra and Nathula, a Gangtok ring road, ropeways, and skyways. The government will promote eco-wellness and adventure tourism with 1,000 homestays, while also enhancing sports infrastructure for football and archery.
