NewsBytes

Kovalam beach wins fifth straight Blue Flag certification

The famous Kovalam beach, one of the popular tourist spots near Chennai, has secured the prestigious International Blue Flag Certification for the fifth consecutive year 2025-26. In a social media post on Tuesday night, State Minister for Finance and Environmental Climate Change, Thangam Thennarasu expressed pride in the achievement and highlighted the commitment of the state government and the local community in maintaining the beach's global eco-standards. He also congratulated the Chengalpattu district administration and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests. Building on this success, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Supriya Sahu said the state government has selected 10 other beaches in Tamil Nadu to pursue global certification. These include four beaches in Chennai, two in Cuddalore, and one each in Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin.

Scindia reviews Tripura's Matabari Tourism Circuit

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The Centre is committed to unlocking Tripura's immense potential and showcasing its rich cultural and spiritual heritage to the world, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said here on Wednesday. Chairing a review meeting on the development of the Matabari Tourism Circuit in Tripura, Scindia, who is the Union Minister of Development of North East region, urged officials to study global best practices. He further encouraged officials to draw inspiration from the successful models of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Kevadia (Gujarat) to ensure a holistic, world-class tourism experience for visitors. According to an official statement, the Union minister said guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make every state a global tourism destination, the government is committed to unlocking Tripura's immense potential, showcasing its rich cultural and spiritual heritage to the world. The meeting focused on enhancing international connectivity at Agartala airport, redesigning major tourist attractions such as Neer Mahal, Tepania, Jampui Pura and Udaipur. It also discussed on developing the Dumbur islands through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to encourage private investment and sustainable growth.

Diverse, resilient energy production is needed to meet future demand: Global Report

Electricity demand will rise much faster than overall energy growth in the coming decades, underscoring the need for diversified energy sources, according to an analysis released Wednesday. The report by the International Energy Agency said renewable energy, led by solar power, will grow faster than any other major source in the next few years and that coal and oil demand will likely peak globally by the end of this decade. The report noted that many natural gas projects were approved in 2025, due to changes in US policy, indicating worldwide supply will rise even as questions remain about how it will be used. Meanwhile, global nuclear power capacity is set to increase by at least a third by 2035 after being stagnant for years. The release of the annual World Energy Outlook coincided with UN climate negotiations in Brazil this week, where global leaders are calling for ways to curb the planet's warming.

Indian author Neha Dixit shortlisted for 2025 Moore Prize for human rights writing

Indian author Neha Dixit is among four international authors shortlisted for the 2025 Moore Prize for human rights writing in London on Wednesday. Dixit's ‘The Many Lives of Syeda X' has been selected for its portrayal of the “intersecting injustices that define the lives of women in India” to capture how “resilience and identity persist in the face of structural power”. The winner of the 1,000-pounds prize will be unveiled on January 7, 2026. “In a year when human rights have been systematically violated and the suffering of individuals too often reduced to statistics, we are reminded of the vital role that literature plays in restoring the human face to injustice,” said Christopher G Moore, founder of the foundation behind the prize. The Moore Prize was established in 2015 to provide funds and recognition to authors who, through their work, contribute to the universality of human rights and to give a platform to human rights issues that are important in today's societies. It is awarded annually, as chosen by a panel of judges whose own work focuses on human rights.