PM Modi visited Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, combining the launch of key development initiatives with political outreach as Kerala prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections. The visit focused on infrastructure expansion, welfare delivery and strengthening the BJP’s organisational presence in the state.

During the visit, the Prime Minister flagged off four new railway services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train. These services are expected to improve rail connectivity between Kerala and neighbouring states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Modi said better connectivity would boost tourism, trade and employment while offering faster and more comfortable travel options to passengers.

Modi also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several important projects. He inaugurated a Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, aimed at improving access to advanced cancer treatment. He also laid the foundation stone for the CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub, which is intended to promote scientific research, innovation and start-up activity in the state.

As part of welfare outreach, the Prime Minister launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, a UPI-linked revolving credit facility for street vendors. Loans were disbursed to nearly one lakh beneficiaries under the scheme. The initiative is designed to provide easy access to formal credit, support self-employment and reduce reliance on informal lenders.

Addressing a public meeting, Modi criticised the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), accusing both of corruption and ineffective governance. He alleged that frequent political conflicts and decades of alternating power between the two fronts had slowed Kerala’s development and affected the implementation of central schemes. Referring to recent local body election results, Modi claimed that voters were looking for change and better governance.

PM Modi also held meetings with BJP workers and leaders, urging them to strengthen grassroots-level engagement and communicate the Centre’s development initiatives to the public. He met representatives of various community organisations, including the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha. Industrialist Sabu M. Jacob, whose party Twenty20 recently joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), was also present during the outreach interactions.

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Ten Army soldiers were killed and 11 injured after a military vehicle skidded off a mountainous road and plunged into a deep gorge near Khanni Top in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district. Rescue operations were carried out by the Army and police.

Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer of the Serum Institute of India, has confirmed his interest in acquiring the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), stating that he plans to place a “strong and competitive” bid in the coming months. His public confirmation has added momentum to speculation around a potential change in ownership of one of the IPL’s most high-profile teams.

Poonawalla announced his intentions through a post on social media platform X, where he described RCB as “one of the best teams in the IPL” and made it clear that his interest was serious. While he did not share details about the size or structure of the bid, the statement signals his readiness to compete with other potential suitors expected to enter the race.

RCB is currently owned by United Spirits Ltd, which is controlled by global liquor major Diageo. The company has been reviewing its business strategy and has indicated that it may look at divesting non-core assets, including its stake in the IPL franchise. This move has opened the door for a possible sale, drawing interest from prominent industrialists and investment groups.

The timing of the potential sale is significant, as RCB recently won the IPL title, ending a long wait for championship success. The team also enjoys one of the strongest fan bases in the league, driven by consistent on-field performances, star players over the years, and a powerful brand presence. These factors have helped RCB emerge as one of the most valuable franchises in the IPL ecosystem.

If successful, the acquisition would mark Poonawalla’s entry into elite sports ownership and reflect the growing trend of Indian corporate leaders investing in high-profile sporting assets. The bidding process is expected to unfold over the next few months, with clarity likely before the next IPL season, as stakeholders closely watch how the contest for RCB’s ownership develops.

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Blue Origin successfully launched its New Shepard NS-38 mission on January 22, marking the company’s first human spaceflight of 2026. The reusable rocket lifted off from Launch Site One in West Texas, carrying six private passengers on a brief but historic suborbital journey to the edge of space.

The New Shepard vehicle crossed the Kármán line, widely recognised as the boundary of space, allowing the crew to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and sweeping views of Earth. The entire flight lasted around 10 to 12 minutes, from liftoff to landing.

After separating from the crew capsule, the booster performed a precise autonomous vertical landing back at the launch site, once again demonstrating Blue Origin’s focus on reusable rocket technology. The capsule, meanwhile, returned safely under parachutes, touching down in the Texas desert.

The NS-38 crew included entrepreneurs, professionals, and aviation veterans, reflecting the growing diversity of participants in commercial space tourism. Among them were business leaders, a retired medical professional, and a former US Air Force colonel. Blue Origin executive Dr. Laura Stiles, Director of New Shepard Launch Operations, also joined the mission as a last-minute replacement after another passenger withdrew due to health reasons.

This flight was the 38th overall mission of the New Shepard programme and the 17th crewed flight since Blue Origin began carrying humans to space in 2021. With NS-38, the company has now flown 98 people into space, including repeat flyers, further strengthening its position in the private space tourism market.

In addition to carrying passengers, the mission also supported research payloads, taking advantage of the short microgravity phase to conduct experiments related to space science and technology.

Blue Origin’s New Shepard programme is designed to make spaceflight safer, more frequent, and more accessible by reusing key components of the rocket system. While ticket prices are not publicly disclosed, such flights remain exclusive, catering to high-net-worth individuals interested in experiencing space firsthand.

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In Columbia Heights, Minnesota, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents recently detained 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos alongside his father, drawing national criticism. The family, who have an active asylum case, were reportedly arrested in their driveway as the child returned home from preschool.

School officials described the incident as disturbing, noting that agents had the young child knock on the family’s door to check for others, raising concerns that the child was used to locate additional individuals. Despite an adult offering to care for Liam, ICE reportedly insisted on taking both father and son to a family detention center in San Antonio, Texas.

This case is part of a series of recent student detentions in the district, with other children, including older teens and a 10-year-old, also taken into custody. The local superintendent called the raids traumatic for students and families, warning of long-term emotional effects.

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security defended the action, stating that the father was the target of the operation and that children are typically offered placement with caregivers when parents are arrested. Critics, however, argue that Liam’s detention was avoidable and inhumane.

The arrest has ignited political debate. Former Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the detention, saying the child “should be with his family, not in custody.” Supporters of ICE operations maintain that enforcing immigration laws, even when families are involved, is necessary.

Attorneys and community leaders emphasize the human impact of aggressive immigration enforcement and question policies that can result in young children being taken from their homes, highlighting the tension between legal enforcement and child welfare.

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Odisha police have detained nine individuals in connection with the January 4 attack on Pastor Bipin Naik in Dhenkanal. The pastor was beaten and humiliated during a prayer meeting amid forced-conversion allegations. Investigation is ongoing.

The 98th Academy Awards nominations brought a historic first: Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, has become the first film ever to earn 16 Oscar nominations, breaking the previous record of 14 held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land.

Released by Warner Bros., Sinners is a supernatural drama set in 1930s Mississippi. It tells the story of twin brothers who open a blues club while grappling with racial tensions and mystical forces. The film has been praised for its storytelling, performances, and technical achievements, and has earned over $368 million globally.

The nominations cover almost every major category. Sinners is up for Best Picture, Best Director (Coogler), Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Supporting Actor (Delroy Lindo), and Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku). It also received nods for Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup & Hairstyling, Sound, Visual Effects, Music Score, and Original Song.

Other films also performed strongly: One Battle After Another received 13 nominations, while Marty Supreme, Frankenstein, and Sentimental Value earned multiple nods. The Academy’s selections reflect growing recognition of genre films alongside traditional dramas.

The nominations highlight diversity in talent, with a mix of established stars and breakthrough performers. The awards ceremony will take place on March 15, hosted by Conan O’Brien, promising a star-studded evening celebrating the year’s cinematic achievements.

By surpassing the long-standing nomination record, Sinners has not only dominated this year’s Oscars race but also set a new benchmark for excellence in filmmaking. Its record-breaking recognition marks it as the defining film of the 2026 awards season.

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North India’s weather shifted sharply this week as western disturbances and accompanying moisture brought widespread rain, thunder and gusty winds across several states. The change has affected daily life, disrupted travel and eased the deep winter chill in many areas.

In the National Capital Region, including Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad, residents experienced rainfall over consecutive days. Heavy showers late Tuesday and Wednesday led to waterlogging in some localities, slowing traffic on major roads and forcing commuters to change plans. Thunderstorms and lightning were reported, prompting meteorologists to issue advisories for possible isolated heavy rainfall.

The cooler, wetter conditions have provided temporary relief from the region’s characteristic winter fog and smog. Weather officials say the rainfall, though moderate, helped improve air quality levels in Delhi compared with the past week’s readings. Associated thunderstorms, however, also brought sudden gusts of wind, raising the risk of tree falls and minor damage in some neighbourhoods.

Across the higher reaches of Jammu & Kashmir, the weather system intensified snowfall in the hills. Ski resorts and popular tourist spots received fresh snow, delighting visitors and local residents. However, the wintry conditions disrupted flight operations at several regional airports, including Srinagar and Jammu. Airlines reported delays and cancellations as pilots negotiated low visibility and snow‑covered runways. Ground staff worked through the night to de‑ice aircraft and clear taxiways.

Travel advisories have urged passengers to check flight statuses before heading to airports, as further unsettled weather is expected over the coming days. Road travel in hilly areas also remains challenging, with authorities cautioning motorists about slippery surfaces and reduced sight distance in snow‑affected zones.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) updates, the prevailing system is likely to persist through the weekend, bringing more scattered rain and thunderstorms across plains and fresh snow in mountains. While not indicative of a long‑term weather pattern change, the current spell reflects the influence of western disturbances typical of this time of year.

Residents in affected regions are urged to stay updated with local forecasts and prepare for travel disruptions, especially in the higher altitude zones where snowfall may continue.

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Snapchat has expanded its Family Center with new tools designed to help parents keep tabs on their teens’ app use, without ever seeing private messages. The updates aim to give families a clearer understanding of digital habits while promoting open conversations about online safety.

Originally launched in 2022, Family Center was Snapchat’s first effort to give caregivers insight into how their children navigate the platform. Now, the platform is adding deeper insights and smarter features to make those insights more useful.

One of the most notable changes is detailed screen-time tracking. Parents can now see how much time their teen spends on Snapchat each day over the past week, broken down by activities. This includes chatting with friends, sharing Snaps, browsing Spotlight, watching Stories, or exploring Snap Map. The idea is not to police teens but to provide context for healthy discussions around screen time.

The second major addition is the friend connection context. In the past, Family Center simply showed a teen’s friends and recent additions. Now, it provides “trust signals” for new connections — for instance, whether the friend shares mutual contacts, appears in the teen’s address book, or is part of the same community. This helps parents feel more informed about who their teen is interacting with, without reading private messages.

Snapchat has also added educational resources, including short videos and guides, to help families navigate the new features and understand online safety better.

Importantly, Snapchat emphasizes that privacy remains central. Parents can see patterns, usage trends, and connection context, but the content of messages stays private. Existing Family Center tools, like content controls, location sharing, and reporting suspicious accounts, continue to be available, making this update a more complete safety hub for families.

Snapchat says the aim is to balance safety with trust, allowing parents to guide teens while respecting their autonomy online.

US President Donald Trump officially launched his Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos, aiming to create a new platform for global conflict resolution, including monitoring ceasefires in hotspots such as the Gaza Strip. However, the event drew a modest turnout, with most attendees being outspoken Trump supporters rather than prominent Western or European leaders.

The initiative, described by Trump as an “elite global leadership forum,” is intended to operate independently of existing international organizations. It promises to provide strategic oversight, mediate conflicts, and bring together leaders committed to peace initiatives. Trump highlighted the board’s potential to resolve disputes more efficiently than traditional multilateral bodies.

Despite the ambitious announcement, the launch was overshadowed by controversy. Trump revoked Canada’s invitation to join the board after Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, criticized his policies during the Davos forum. Trump cited disagreements over the board’s direction and reiterated that membership would be selective, emphasizing loyalty and alignment with the initiative’s goals.

Observers noted that many major Western leaders either declined the invitation or were absent, raising questions about the board’s legitimacy and its ability to influence global conflicts. Analysts suggest that the initiative may face challenges in gaining international recognition and participation beyond Trump’s core supporters.

Trump, however, maintained an optimistic tone, insisting that the board would serve as a practical tool for peace and a model for future international cooperation. “This is about results, not politics,” he said during the signing ceremony, while thanking attendees for their support.

The Board of Peace is expected to issue its first reports on conflict monitoring later this year. Critics remain skeptical of its independence and effectiveness, given the absence of established international actors and the limited representation at the launch. Still, Trump framed the board as a bold step toward a more direct approach to global peace.

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