Kuwait reports Iranian drone strikes on vital energy infrastructure, including power and desalination plants, causing damage and forcing shutdowns. Emergency response plans are underway to maintain supply stability. A fire also broke out at an oil complex following a strike. Kuwait's air defence systems intercepted multiple drones; no casualties were reported.
Kuwait said Iranian drones struck key energy and infrastructure sites early on Sunday, including power generation and water desalination plants, forcing the shutdown of two electricity units and raising concerns over supply stability.
The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy confirmed that two power and water desalination facilities were targeted in the attack, resulting in significant material damage.
Two power generating units were taken out of service as a result, according to state news agency KUNA.
Despite the impact, authorities said no casualties were reported.
In a statement, ministry spokesperson Fatima Jawhar Hayat said emergency response plans had been activated immediately, with technical teams working in coordination with relevant authorities to maintain the stability of electricity and water supplies.
All technical teams are working around the clock to ensure service continuity, she said.
Broader infrastructure hit
According to Reuters, a fire also broke out overnight at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s Shuwaikh oil complex, which houses the oil ministry and KPC headquarters, following a drone strike.
Separately, an Iranian drone hit a government office complex, causing significant damage but again no reported injuries.
Kuwait’s defence ministry said its air defence systems had engaged multiple missiles and drones that entered the country’s airspace, with explosions heard in some areas attributed to midair interceptions.
Authorities have urged the public to follow official safety guidance as the situation develops.
US President Donald Trump issued a second 48-hour ultimatum to Iran via Truth Social, demanding they fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face consequences. This follows a previous ultimatum and alleged "productive" discussions. Maritime traffic through the Strait remains significantly below normal levels, despite a slight increase, with most vessels linked to Iran.
US President Donald Trump has issued a second 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
The latest warning comes after Trump issued an initial 48-hour ultimatum on March 22, demanding Iran reopen the Strait or face strikes on its power grid.
That deadline was later postponed for 10 days following what Trump described as “productive” discussions, though Iran denied formal negotiations were taking place.
Disruption persists
The escalation comes as traffic through the Strait remains sharply below normal levels.
Lloyd’s List data shows 53 vessels transited the waterway during Week 13 (March 23–29), the highest weekly total since the disruption began — but still far below typical volumes.
Traffic across March is down around 94 per cent year-on-year, with activity dominated by vessels linked to Iran or operating within the so-called shadow fleet.
Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, characters from the AI-generated series "Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh," as seen at the Collective Artists Network's Galleri5 AI production studio in Bengaluru. The show is based on an ancient Hindu epic about a dynastic war between princes. (Image: REUTERS.)
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Bollywood is embracing AI to cut costs and production times, particularly in mythology and fantasy genres. Studios are creating AI-generated films, dubbing for wider release, and even altering endings of older films. This contrasts with Hollywood's union restrictions. While AI slashes costs, audience reception has been mixed, and some creatives worry about artistic integrity.
Welcome to the new-look movie set, where the quiet hum of a coding floor has replaced the cacophony of cameras, clapperboards and shouted directions.
The Collective Artists Network, a top talent agency for Bollywood A-listers, has long brokered the careers of real-life superstars.
Now, it’s engineering digital ones. In its Bengaluru premises, filmmakers use artificial intelligence tools to create content based on Hindu mythology – a popular genre in India. One movie, based on the religious text “Ramayana,” has a scene showing the god Hanuman flying while carrying a mountain. A show based on a separate ancient epic, “Mahabharat,” features a sequence depicting the princess Gandhari, who blindfolded herself upon marrying a blind king.
India produces the most movies of any country, and stars such as Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan command cult-like followings. But shifting audience habits, including the rise of streaming, are squeezing production budgets, many industry players say. The number of moviegoers fell to 832 million in 2025 from 1.03 billion in 2019, according to consulting firm Ormax Media. While box-office sales hit a record $1.4 billion last year, revenue has been choppy since the pandemic and reliant on a handful of hits and pricier tickets.
Studios in India are responding by deploying AI at a scale unseen elsewhere: creating full-fledged AI-generated films; using AI dubbing to release movies in numerous languages; and recutting endings of older titles to eke out additional sales. In the process, they are reshaping the economics of filmmaking, compressing production timelines, and pitting AI-driven efficiency against a recurring problem: Audiences have often reviewed AI content harshly, even when it sells.
“AI is slashing production costs to one-fifth of what they used to be for traditional filmmaking in genres such as mythology and fantasy,” said Rahul Regulapati, who heads Collective’s AI studio, known as Galleri5. And production time? “Down to a quarter,” he said.
The approach differs from Hollywood, where union contracts and fears of job displacement have constrained studios’ use of the technology. In India, at least one major production house is reviewing its entire library for AI re-releases, and Google, Microsoft and Nvidia have made early bets by partnering with local filmmakers.
Previous reporting has explored how Indian filmmakers are harnessing AI, and India’s divergence with Hollywood. But Reuters is detailing for the first time the extent to which India’s film industry is reorganizing itself around AI and the economics driving the shift. Reuters visited two AI studios and tested moviemaking tools, attended film festivals and interviewed 25 people for this story, including directors, studio heads, industry executives and startup figures.
American and British studios have experimented with AI filmmaking – producing the first full-length AI animated features in 2024 and an AI-powered immersive version of “The Wizard of Oz” last year.
But the ambitions of India’s filmmakers are on a different level, said Dominic Lees, a film and AI researcher at Britain’s University of Reading. “If they can deliver, then the shift in AI filmmaking will be to India,” he said.
The pivot to AI reflects India’s embrace of the technology broadly. Last year, Reuters detailed India’s wager that leaning in to AI will create enough opportunities to offset shorter-term disruption. AI could boost Indian media and entertainment firms’ revenue by 10% and reduce costs by 15% over the medium term, according to analysis by consulting firm EY.
Vikram Malhotra, founder of Abundantia Entertainment, told Reuters the Bollywood production house, which recently announced investment in an $11 million AI studio, is building its AI capability from scratch and expects content generated or assisted by AI to account for one-third of its revenue within three years.
Employees at work at Galleri5, the tech studio arm of Bollywood talent agency Collective Artists Network. AI is enabling studios in India to slash production timelines and costs, industry figures say. (REUTERS)
New endings for old dramas
Last year, India’s Eros Media World re-released a 2013 hit, “Raanjhanaa,” with an AI-altered twist. It replaced a tragic ending, in which the protagonist died, with a happier finale where he opens his eyes to the surprise of his lover, who smiles through tears.
The rewrite drew backlash. Dhanush, the lead actor, who goes by one name professionally, said on X that the AI remake had “stripped the film of its very soul” and set a “deeply concerning precedent for both art and artists.”
Still, the re-release of “Raanjhanaa” drew audiences. India’s largest cinema chain, PVR Inox, told Reuters that 35% of available tickets to the Tamil-language version of the movie were sold during its release month, August. That was 12 percentage points higher than the average in 2025.
Now, Eros is going further: Pradeep Dwivedi, its group CEO, told Reuters the studio is reviewing its 3,000-title catalog “to identify candidates for AI-assisted adaptation.” The group’s Indian unit, Eros International, last year warned of “competition from digital platforms” as its consolidated annual revenue from operations fell 44%.
“It’s both a revenue opportunity and a creative renewal strategy,” Dwivedi said of the plans for AI rewrites.
In Hollywood, such alterations would face barriers. Under an agreement with U.S. actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, studios cannot digitally alter an actor’s performance or create a digital replica without the performer’s informed consent. The Directors Guild of America contract bars studios from using AI for creative decisions without consulting the director and prevents AI from doing the work of its members.
Indian studios, by contrast, are pushing into aggressive experiments using AI, including in Hindu mythological tales – big business in a country with millions of devout followers. Collective is planning eight AI-generated titles focused on deities such as Hanuman, Krishna, Durga and Kali.
JioStar, a media joint venture between billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance and Walt Disney, has been airing an AI-generated adaptation of the ancient Hindu epic “Mahabharat” – the first episodic series to emerge from Collective’s cinematic AI lab.
The AI rendition of the tale about a dynastic war between princes has recorded at least 26.5 million views since its October release on JioStar’s streaming platform, the company told Reuters. An earlier TV adaptation drew 200 million viewers between 1988 and 1990.
The show has faced a rocky reception with audiences, however. “Mahabharat” holds a rating of 1.4 out of 10 on IMDb, with some reviewers criticizing lip-sync issues and others saying some sequences felt low-quality or lacked authenticity due to unnatural styling.
Alok Jain, a senior executive at JioStar, told Reuters the response “has been a mix of appreciation and healthy debate, which is natural for any ambitious creative leap.” He said JioStar is exploring making original stories in AI format.
Some industry figures lament the rise of AI in filmmaking. Jonathan Taplin, an American writer and producer who has worked with Hollywood studios, said the use of AI to create entire feature films is “an affront to the whole history of cinema.”
“It will fill your cinemas and screens with formula slop,” he said.
Dubbing with AI
Dubbing may offer a smoother path to acceptance of AI in film.
India’s 22 official languages and hundreds of dialects split the country into micro-markets, making dubbing essential for any movie to become a national blockbuster. Audiences have long griped about mismatched lip movement – a problem AI is beginning to address.
During a Reuters visit to NeuralGarage, an AI startup in Bengaluru that provides dubbing for top studios like Yash Raj Films, co-founder Subhabrata Debnath demonstrated a clip of an AI-generated character speaking in English. He then superimposed a German audio track, and within minutes the character was speaking fluent German, lips and jaw in sync.
Debnath said the technology preserves “the performance, identity and the speaking style of the person” while altering the face enough to make the dubbing look natural.
NeuralGarage’s AI technology was used last year to dub Yash Raj’s Hindi movie “War 2” into the Telugu language of south India. The production house didn’t respond to Reuters questions.
Tech majors meet the red carpet
Global tech majors also want a piece of the action.
Google partnered with Bollywood director Shakun Batra in August to produce a five-part cinematic series using its Veo 3 video-generation and Flow AI tools to experiment with AI-powered filmmaking. Mira Lane, Google’s vice president of technology and society, told Reuters that AI could also allow independent artists to create complex sequences that “might otherwise be out of reach due to budget or logistical constraints.”
Collective has been working with Microsoft, which told Reuters it is providing AI computing power to help “shape the next wave of global storytelling” through such collaborations.
To bypass the limitations of standard text prompts, Collective uses a hybrid of physical recording and digital animation. Actors wear sensor-equipped motion-capture suits to record body movements as 3D data, while smartphones capture facial expressions. This data is fed into the AI pipeline, allowing for nuanced control over the AI-generated characters.
The ripples are reaching beyond the studio. Globally, festivals dedicated to screening AI-generated shorts have proliferated in cities including Los Angeles, Cannes, and Barcelona. India’s first took place in November at Mumbai’s Royal Opera House, where young storytellers walked the red carpet alongside a dancing robot.
And in February, Nvidia shared the stage with aspiring AI filmmakers at the second edition of India’s AI film fest in New Delhi. Pradeep Gupta, a global vice president of Nvidia, told the audience the company is working to slash computing costs so that anyone can “create something substantial without putting a lot of money” into production.
Anurag Kashyap, a Bollywood director, told Reuters he is concerned about the growth of AI in filmmaking in India and the lack of guardrails around its use. But he grudgingly conceded the economic case for studios to deploy the technology.
“In India, cinema isn’t about art. It’s purely business, so studios are going to use it to make mythologicals,” Kashyap said of AI. “Our audience is a sucker for it.”
Dubai to bring EV charging stations to parks, beaches
These stations will be strategically distributed across major destination parks, neighbourhood parks, and public beaches to ensure wide geographic coverage
Dubai Municipality is installing EV supercharging stations in 600 parking spaces across parks and beaches. In partnership with Emarat EV Charging Stations Company, the initiative supports sustainable mobility, aligning with Dubai's 2040 Greenery and Parks Strategy. The first phase will see 75 stations installed over two years, enhancing visitor experiences and promoting eco-friendly transport.
Dubai Municipality has launched a sweeping initiative to install electric vehicle (EV) supercharging stations across 600 parking spaces in public parks, beaches, and recreational facilities, marking a significant push toward sustainable mobility in the emirate.
Backed by an investment of Dhs150m, the project is being implemented in partnership with Emarat EV Charging Stations Company (UAEV), according to a WAM report.
Officials say the initiative reflects Dubai’s ongoing efforts to develop future-ready public spaces that promote sustainability while enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Driving sustainable mobility in everyday spaces
The project aligns with the emirate’s long-term urban planning strategies, including the Greenery and Parks Strategy 2040, positioning public spaces as key enablers of Dubai’s sustainable mobility ecosystem.
By integrating EV charging infrastructure into high-footfall destinations such as parks and beaches, authorities aim to make clean transportation more accessible while improving the overall visitor experience. The initiative is also closely tied to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, encouraging private sector participation in building sustainable urban infrastructure.
The first phase of the rollout will see 75 EV supercharging stations installed across 150 parking bays over the next two years.
These stations will be strategically distributed across major destination parks, neighbourhood parks, and public beaches to ensure wide geographic coverage and ease of access.
Authorities say the rollout will prioritise high-traffic locations and community hubs, catering to both residents and tourists.
Officials highlight strategic importance
Senior officials underscored the importance of the initiative in advancing the UAE’s clean mobility ambitions.
Eng Sharif Al Olama, undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and chairman of UAEV, said: “Through our partnership with Dubai Municipality, UAEV is proud to expand access to EV charging infrastructure across key community destinations, including parks, markets, and public facilities.”
“By integrating charging solutions into everyday locations, we are making sustainable mobility more convenient and accessible for everyone,” he added. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to supporting the UAE’s clean mobility ambitions and enhancing quality of life across the community.”
Badr Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, echoed this sentiment, stating: “This initiative reflects Dubai Municipality’s commitment to transforming public spaces into integrated, future-ready environments that support evolving lifestyles and sustainable mobility.”
“By embedding EV charging infrastructure across parks and beaches, we are enabling residents and visitors to make more environmentally responsible choices as part of their daily routines,” he added.
Ali Al Darwish, acting CEO of UAEV, also highlighted the broader impact of the collaboration. “This partnership allows UAEV to expand EV charging infrastructure into everyday community spaces, making sustainable mobility more accessible,” he said.
The project represents a key milestone in advancing UAEV’s ambitions and supports the transformational initiative, ‘A Global Market for Electric Vehicles.’
It also aligns with the UAE’s long-term vision to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility, contributing to the national target of increasing EV adoption to 50 per cent of the total vehicle fleet by 2050.
In addition, the initiative supports major policy frameworks such as the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
Reimagining public spaces
Beyond infrastructure, the initiative reflects a broader shift in how public spaces are designed and utilised across Dubai.
Officials say parks and beaches are increasingly being reimagined as smart, sustainable environments that integrate recreation with modern mobility solutions and environmental responsibility.
Visitors will be able to charge their vehicles while enjoying outdoor activities such as sports, family outings, children’s play areas, and waterfront experiences. This seamless integration is expected to encourage more residents to adopt EVs by making charging a natural part of everyday life.
Dubai Municipality has also extended an open invitation to private sector partners, investors, and innovation-driven companies to participate in shaping the next generation of public infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships, the Municipality aims to integrate advanced technology, sustainability, and service excellence into public environments.
Officials say this collaborative approach will ensure long-term operational efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced user experiences.
Dubai Municipality reiterated its commitment to investing in innovative solutions that ensure public spaces remain inclusive, accessible, and environmentally responsible for future generations.
Dubai's "A Fine Way to Dine" campaign offers up to 50% discounts at top restaurants until April 19th. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism initiative aims to make Dubai's diverse culinary scene more accessible. It promotes shared experiences and strengthens Dubai's reputation as a global dining centre, showcasing international flavours and premium dining options.
Dubai has unveiled a major new culinary campaign, ‘Dubai, A Fine Way to Dine’, bringing together some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants with exclusive, limited-time discounts of up to 50 per cent.
Launched by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the citywide initiative runs until April 19 and aims to make Dubai’s renowned dining scene more accessible to residents and visitors alike. The programme encourages diners to explore a curated selection of restaurants while fostering shared experiences across the emirate.
Dubai’s gastronomy sector, long considered a cornerstone of its global appeal, continues to reflect the city’s cultural diversity. With nearly 200 nationalities calling Dubai home, the culinary landscape draws on a wide spectrum of international flavours and traditions, earning widespread global recognition.
Top-tier restaurants join limited-time offers
The campaign features an impressive lineup of dining destinations, including MICHELIN-starred and Bib Gourmand venues. Participating restaurants include Avatara, Trèsind Studio, Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, TakaHisa, Jun’s, The Guild, CÉ LA VI, Manāo, 21grams, and COYA, among others.
As part of the initiative, diners can take advantage of a range of promotions, including discounted à la carte menus, business lunches, and specially curated set menus. The scale of the offers marks one of the most significant efforts yet to open up premium dining experiences to a broader audience.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of DET, emphasised the role of food in connecting communities.
“Dubai’s gastronomy sector has become more than a pillar of our economy; it’s a platform that connects our community,” he said. “With so many nationalities calling Dubai home, our restaurants, cafés, and culinary festivals become spaces where cultures converge, stories are shared, and connections are forged.”
He added: “This latest initiative provides more of our residents and visitors with an opportunity to sample the city’s culinary excellence, and discover why it has become so acclaimed globally.”
Strengthening Dubai’s culinary reputation
The initiative also underscores Dubai’s growing status as a global culinary capital, where internationally acclaimed brands operate alongside thriving homegrown concepts.
This dynamic ecosystem continues to evolve, blending innovation with tradition while reinforcing the city’s reputation for quality and authenticity.
For further information regarding the initiative and the restaurants participating as well the promotions, please visit: finediningdubai.com
Kempinski Hotels has acquired the Augustine Hotel in Prague, its first property purchase in over 50 years. This acquisition signals a strategic shift towards owning more assets, allowing greater control over operations. The hotel, located in a historic monastery, will undergo refurbishment and be reflagged as Kempinski in late 2026, representing the organisation's future vision.
Kempinski Hotels, Europe’s oldest luxury hospitality group, said on Thursday it had acquired the Augustine Hotel in Prague, marking its first property purchase in more than 50 years.
The wholly owned acquisition reflects a strategic shift by the Geneva-based group toward a more asset-heavy portfolio, allowing it to control operations and guest experiences at landmark properties. Kempinski last made a purchase in 1970 with Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich.
Located in Prague’s historic Malá Strana district beneath Prague Castle, Augustine Hotel occupies part of the Augustinian Monastery of St. Thomas, a site with more than 800 years of history.
The property has 101 rooms, including 20 suites, restaurants, bars, a spa and fitness center, meeting space, and outdoor terraces and gardens. It combines preserved architectural heritage with contemporary five-star standards.
Barbara Muckermann, CEO of Kempinski Group, said the acquisition offered a rare opportunity to secure a heritage asset in a top-tier European luxury destination. “Augustine Hotel, Prague is not only an ideal addition to Kempinski’s heritage-led, global portfolio, it is set to become the first truly physical and experiential representation of the Kempinski of the Future,” she said.
Kempinski CFO Gordon Drake said direct ownership allows the group to reposition the hotel as one of the finest in Prague and create long-term value from the asset.
Under Kempinski ownership, Augustine Hotel will operate under a white label from April 1, 2026, until late 2026.
The company plans design-led refurbishments of rooms and public spaces while preserving the building’s historic character. The property will be reflagged as Kempinski later in 2026.
Kempinski was advised by A&O Shearman, Hill International, Alvarez & Marsal and Christie & Co Erste Bank provided senior debt for the acquisition.
The Kempinski Group, founded in 1872, operates 75 hotels and residences in 33 countries and has more than 25 projects under development worldwide.
