Nation

India is gearing up for a major achievement this February, emerging as a key leader in artificial intelligence (AI) for the Global South. According to Stanford University’s Global AI Vibrancy Tool, India has risen to become the third most competitive country in AI worldwide, following the United States and China. This ranking highlights India’s rapidly growing technology ecosystem and strong talent base, positioning the nation as a significant player in the global AI race. Surpassing Advanced Economies The visual chart by Visual Capitalist, based on Stanford data, shows that the United States leads with a vibrancy score of 78.6, followed by China at 36.95, and India at 21.59. India’s performance surpasses several advanced economies, including South Korea, the United Kingdom, Singa...

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is celebrating its 21st Foundation Day today, earning accolades from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised the force for its courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment to saving lives. Over the past two decades, the NDRF has rescued more than 1.5 lakh people both within India and internationally. Heroes in Times of Crisis India frequently faces natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides, often disrupting daily life and livelihoods. In such moments, the NDRF is tasked with restoring normalcy. Every year, the NDRF’s establishment day is observed on 19 January, highlighting the force’s tireless efforts in disaster relief and rescue operations. Prime Minister Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations, noting, “ND...

The weather across India is set to undergo a major shift after over a century, with authorities issuing warnings of heavy rainfall and snowfall in ten states this month. According to the Meteorological Department, two western disturbances are becoming active over the Western Himalayas. These systems are expected to bring heavy snowfall and rainfall in parts of the region on 23 January. Additionally, between 22 and 24 January, northwestern plains of India are also likely to experience rainfall. This winter, the Himalayas have witnessed one of the driest periods since 1901, with extremely low precipitation recorded across key states. Experts warn that these western disturbances could end this prolonged dry spell. The Meteorological Department reports that northern states like Uttarakha...

In a deeply disturbing incident in Delhi, a 14-year-old boy sexually harassed an American woman on a crowded Delhi Metro train. The incident has left the victim shaken and raised serious questions about safety and awareness in public spaces. Incident Details The young woman, visiting India to attend a friend’s wedding, was confronted by the teenager on the metro. According to her account, the boy initially asked for a selfie. When she agreed, he inappropriately touched her chest. Shockingly, the boy’s mother and sister were present, and the mother defended him, claiming, “He has never been so close to a fair-skinned woman before, so he got carried away.” The victim, understandably distressed, confronted the boy and pushed him away. The mother’s reaction left her questioning the en...

New Delhi: India’s ties with Germany are entering a new phase, following the recent visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India. This visit coincided with 25 years of strategic partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, underscoring a shift from purely trade and investment-focused interactions toward a comprehensive strategic partnership. During the visit, 19 significant agreements were signed, aiming to bridge the gap between Europe’s advanced technologies and India’s production capabilities. Defense and Industrial Cooperation A highlight of Chancellor Merz’s visit was the joint declaration on defense industrial cooperation, signaling a move beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship. India and Germany are expected to collaborate on wea...

New Delhi: UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrives in India today on an official visit that is being closely watched amid rising tensions in the Gulf and an increasingly assertive US presence. The geopolitical stakes are high, with deteriorating Iran-US relations, mounting friction between Saudi Arabia and UAE over Yemen, and political instability in Gaza. In this scenario, the India-UAE partnership is under global scrutiny. This marks Sheikh Nahyan’s third visit to India as President and his fifth visit in the past decade. The UAE Embassy in India described the visit as a milestone in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, providing an opportunity for President Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to chart new avenues for cooperation. Why the UAE Pre...

New Delhi: On 19 January 1966, an unprecedented scene unfolded in the Central Hall of Parliament, as the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), for the first time since India’s independence, elected its leader through a full-scale vote. After four hours of dramatic proceedings, 48-year-old Indira Gandhi emerged victorious, becoming India’s first woman Prime Minister. The Times of India at the time described her entry: “Draped in a white sari with a light brown shawl over her shoulder, Indira received a thunderous welcome in the hall.” The returning officer declared, “I hereby declare Mrs. Indira Gandhi elected as Prime Minister.” The hall reverberated with cheers, marking not just a personal victory but a significant turning point in Congress’ internal succession politics. Vacancy After...

New Delhi: Following Western sanctions on Russian oil, India’s crude oil imports from Russia have fallen by nearly 29%, while China appears to be the primary beneficiary of the diversion. The geopolitical shift underscores the growing volatility in global oil supplies amid US and EU restrictions. Turkish Port Sees Rare Russian Delivery On the evening of 6 January, a Panama-flagged tanker, Bela 6, docked in Izmit, Western Turkey, and began offloading roughly 100,000 tons of Russian crude. According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), this delivery was an exception. The Turkish refinery Tupras had reduced Russian crude imports by 69% last month, ahead of the EU sanctions effective 21 January, which ban refined products made from Russian crude in Europe. These mea...

New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has strongly reiterated that pre-conviction bail is a fundamental right of every citizen, in the context of the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant bail to Umar Khalid, accused in the Delhi riots case. Speaking at an event in Jaipur, Chandrachud warned that prolonged imprisonment without trial undermines constitutional justice and highlighted the urgent need for safeguards ensuring timely hearings. Bail Should Be the Rule, Not the Exception Chandrachud said, “Umar Khalid has been in jail for five years. I am not criticizing the court… Bail conditions can be imposed to prevent misuse, but it is essential that the accused has the right to a speedy hearing. If immediate hearings are not possible due to current circumstances, bail must...