For the first time in its history, Port Blair International Airport in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has reported a case of exotic species smuggling. Customs and wildlife officials arrested two Singaporean citizens, MI Muhammed Abdullah and Mohammed Alavudeen, upon their arrival from Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Acting on intelligence, authorities discovered eight baby monkeys, identified as pig-tailed macaques and gibbons, concealed in their bags. The duo, originally from Kanniyakumari, was en route to Bengaluru, where the animals were to be delivered.Wildlife officials from Andaman and Nicobar arrested the accused under the Wildlife Protection Act, sources from the Wildlife Crime
India is building its own large language model through a public-private partnership (PPP) approach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at the AI Action Summit in Paris. The PPP model is designed to pool resources, such as computing power, and make them accessible to startups and researchers at an affordable cost."India is developing a large language model that reflects our diversity. Our unique public-private partnership model allows resource sharing, ensuring startups and researchers can leverage advanced AI affordably. India is also ready to share its expertise to ensure AI serves the greater good," PM Modi stated.Co-chairing the summit alongside French President
In a tragic incident, two Indian Army personnel, including a captain, were killed, and another was injured when suspected terrorists triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) near the Line of Control (LoC) in Akhnoor, Jammu, on Tuesday. The blast occurred around 3:50 PM while the soldiers were patrolling near a forward post in the Bhattal area. The injured personnel were rushed to a hospital, where two, including Captain Karanjit Singh Bakshi, succumbed to their injuries, while the third soldier remains in stable condition.The White Knight Corps, also known as the XVI Corps, paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, stating that
Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE), Madurai, is set to introduce a Technology-Based Entrepreneurship Development Programme (TEDP) from February 12 to March 25. The initiative, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, aims to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with practical knowledge in instrumentation and IoT applications.The offline programme will offer hands-on training in designing instrumentation systems, integrating sensors and actuators, and establishing communication between devices using various protocols. Participants will also explore the application of IoT in key sectors such as healthcare, smart cities, smart agriculture, and pollution control, enhancing their understanding of real-world implementations.The six-week training
Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has written an open letter to Army Chief General Asim Munir, urging the military to refrain from political interference and return to its constitutional role. The letter, posted on X (formerly Twitter), strongly criticizes the military’s alleged unlawful actions and suppression of democracy.Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), highlighted his mistreatment in Adiala Jail, where he has been imprisoned for over a year. He described being placed in solitary confinement in a death-row cell for 20 days, with no access to sunlight or electricity. This letter follows a previous one dated February
Gyalo Thondup, the elder brother of the Dalai Lama and a key figure in Tibet’s struggle against Chinese rule, passed away on February 9 at his home in Kalimpong, West Bengal, at the age of 97. His death was widely reported in Tibetan media, though no official cause was given.A major yet often unseen force in Tibet’s political history, Thondup played a critical role in both armed and diplomatic efforts to counter China’s control over Tibet. Unlike his younger brother, the Dalai Lama—who became the global face of Tibetan spirituality and resistance—Thondup operated behind the scenes, engaging in secretive negotiations,
A former contract worker and his associates brutally attacked and murdered a private container yard manager at Velli Vayal Chavadi near Manali New Town in the early hours of Friday. All suspects are currently absconding. Police identified the victim as Sai Prashanth, 45, from Kudur, Andhra Pradesh, who worked as a manager overseeing daily loading and unloading operations at the yard.The issue arose on February 5 when Balaji, 25, a contract worker from Andhra Pradesh, left work before his scheduled time, causing delays in container loading. The next morning, when Prashanth confronted Balaji about his unauthorized absence, an argument ensued, leading
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale shook the Caribbean Sea on Saturday evening, causing widespread concern. The quake struck 130 miles (209 km) north of Honduras, near the Cayman Islands, at a shallow depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), according to the US Geological Survey.The US Tsunami Warning System initially issued tsunami warnings for the Caribbean region, including the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, and more. Later, most warnings were lifted except for Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and parts of Cuba, where waves between 1 and 3 meters above tide level were forecast. The
The BJP's victory in the 2025 Delhi Assembly Election has been a long time coming—nearly three decades—but its scale and impact have redefined the party’s acceptability across various caste and religious groups. Given Delhi's representation as a miniature of India, the results offer hope for the BJP’s prospects in other states as well.The Congress has repeatedly questioned the BJP’s acceptance among Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Castes, emphasizing the need for a caste census. However, the BJP has made significant strides in winning OBC support, particularly in Maharashtra and other states. The Delhi election results further reinforce this shift, with
