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India is poised to become a global energy powerhouse, with its power consumption set to surge in the coming years, driven by rapid economic growth and increasing energy demand. According to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2024, India will lead global energy demand growth over the next decade, with significant rises across oil, gas, coal, electricity, and renewable energy sectors. The report highlights that India's rising population and projected status as the third-largest economy by 2028 will fuel this demand. A particularly notable projection is the exponential growth in air conditioner usage, expected to increase over 4.5 times by 2035. By then, India's air conditioning systems will consume more electricity than Mexico’s total power consumption. This reflects the country’s urbanisation, growing middle class, and improved living standards, positioning India as a critical player in the global energy market.
Elon Musk has expressed support for the Indian government's decision to allocate satellite broadband spectrum through administrative means rather than an auction. This decision is favorable for Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, as it eliminates the need for competitive bidding for spectrum access in India. At an event in New Delhi, India's Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the spectrum allocation would follow international norms, with prices set by the telecom regulator. Scindia emphasized that auctioning the spectrum would be out of step with global practices, stating, "Auctioning would make India an outlier globally." Musk, via X (formerly Twitter), welcomed the move, saying, "We will do our best to serve the people of India with Starlink." He also pointed out that an auction for this spectrum would be unprecedented, as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has designated such spectrum for shared use among satellite operators worldwide.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to the multi-tracking project for the Varanasi-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) section, with a budget allocation of Rs 2,642 crore.
This project includes the construction of a new rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga River and the addition of third and fourth railway lines between Varanasi and DDU Junction. It also encompasses various other infrastructure enhancements. Spanning across two districts in Uttar Pradesh, the project will extend the Indian Railways network by approximately 30 kilometers.
The multi-tracking initiative is aimed at alleviating congestion and streamlining operations on one of the busiest railway sections in India. It promises significant infrastructure improvements, traversing through Varanasi and Chandauli districts, and is expected to enhance efficiency and connectivity in the region.
Meta has initiated layoffs across various divisions, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Reality Labs, according to a report from The Verge. A Meta spokesperson confirmed that some teams were undergoing changes to align with long-term strategic and location objectives, which includes relocation of teams and reassigning employees to new roles. In cases where roles are eliminated, Meta aims to find alternative opportunities for affected staff. Separately, the Financial Times revealed that Meta recently dismissed over two dozen employees in Los Angeles for misusing their $25 daily meal credits to purchase household items like wine glasses, acne pads, and laundry detergent. These firings are unrelated to the restructuring efforts and occurred last week. Since November 2022, Meta has cut approximately 21,000 jobs as part of cost-reduction measures, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg branding 2023 as the "Year of Efficiency." Meta's shares have risen by over 60% this year.
