A decade-long artificial reef restoration of Vaan Island in the Gulf of Mannar has generated socio-ecological benefits worth Rs 61.67 crore, more than double the project’s inflation-adjusted cost, according to a technical assessment by the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission and its partners, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Foundation and IIT Madras.

The study found that the intervention delivered an adjusted benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.34, confirming that nature-based coastal restoration can produce significant economic returns alongside ecological gains.

Vaan Island, one of 21 uninhabited coral islands, had suffered severe erosion, shrinking by 92% between 1969 and 2015. Its area reduced from about 20 hectares to 1.53 hectares largely due to coral mining, sea-level rise and reef degradation. To arrest the decline, scientists deployed 10,600 specially designed artificial reef modules around the island beginning in 2015. The report termed the outcome “conclusive proof that severe coastal loss is reversible”.

The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the All India Ayurvedic Congress, will organise the four-day National Arogya Fair 2026 in Shegaon in Buldhana district from February 25 to 28.

The event aims to promote various Ayush systems of medicine among the public, provide integrated healthcare services and create livelihood opportunities for farmers through medicinal plant cultivation and agroforestry.

The fair will be inaugurated on February 25 by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Visava Maidan of Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan. The ceremony will also be attended by the Governor of Maharashtra, Union Minister of Ayush Prataprao Jadhav, senior officials and other dignitaries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated India’s first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and dedicated the 82-km Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor to the nation, describing the moment as the beginning of a new era of world-class infrastructure for Uttar Pradesh and the country.

Addressing a gathering in Meerut, the Prime Minister said, “Today, Uttar Pradesh and the entire country are witnessing a new era of world-class infrastructure.” He termed the inauguration of the Meerut Metro, Namo Bharat train and the new RRTS section as a major step towards making life in the National Capital Region (NCR) “simpler, smoother and more convenient.”

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, both the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and the Meerut Metro were launched from the same platform and will operate on shared tracks and stations. “It is happening for the first time in the country that Namo Bharat and Metro rail will operate on the same station and on the same track,” the Prime Minister said. “From the very same platform, one will be able to travel within the city, and from that same station, one can also commute directly to and from Delhi.”

The UAE is accelerating its efforts in advanced medicine, unveiling two pioneering gene therapy projects aimed at treating rare neurological and genetic disorders in children and shifting care from managing symptoms to targeting the root causes of disease.

The Emirates Health Services (EHS) said the initiatives focus on monogenic autism and innovative genetic treatments for neurodegenerative conditions, supporting the country’s strategy to expand investment in advanced medical technologies and improve long-term healthcare outcomes.

The first project, currently under development, targets genetic causes linked to autism and epilepsy in children. It includes rare and severe conditions such as Beta-Propeller Protein-Associated Neurodegeneration (BPAN), a disorder that often presents early in life as autism spectrum symptoms and seizures before progressing to motor and cognitive decline during adolescence.

Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry became the first player to play 350 international cricket matches for Australia across formats. She achieved this feat during the third T20I match against India at Adelaide on Saturday.

The 35-year-old Perry's international career is an inspiration for all. She became the youngest player to play for Australia at the age of 16 when she made her debut against New Zealand in July 2007, despite never playing a domestic match at the senior level.

She is only behind India's Harmanpreet Kaur (357) and New Zealand's Suzie Bates (355) in the list of the most capped players in women's international matches.

India's vision for a democratised and inclusive artificial intelligence framework has received sweeping global endorsement, with the AI Impact Summit 2026 concluding in the capital with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration.

The outcome closely mirrors what NDTV had reported ahead of the summit, that India would push an "AI for All" approach centred on accessibility, affordability, and global cooperation. The final declaration reflects that vision, now backed by 88 countries and international organisations.

IndiGo has appointed Captain Rohit Rikhye as the new Head of Operations Control Centre (OCC) in place of Jason Herter, the first rejig at the airline's senior management level after the massive operational disruptions in December last year.

In January, aviation regulator DGCA took various actions against the airline, including imposing penalties totalling Rs 22 crore and asking dismissal of a senior vice-president, in relation to the operational disruptions.

In an internal communication on Friday, the airline said Rohit Rikhye has been appointed as the Head of OCC with immediate effect.

Manipuri film Boong, produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, won the prestigious BAFTA Award for Best Children’s & Family Film in London yesterday. The film’s debutant director, Lakshmipriya Devi, made an emotional plea for peace in her acceptance speech after receiving the coveted trophy from Paddington Bear, the lead character starring in the West End show Paddington The Musical. She was joined on stage by producers Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani and the assistant director of Boong, Rahul Sharda. The Manipuri film, starring Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam, beat international competition from other nominees ‘Lilo and Stitch’, ‘Arco’ and ‘Zootropolis 2’.

The action thriller ‘One Battle After Another’ dominated the 79th British Academy Film Awards, popularly known as the BAFTAs, winning six awards including Best Film. Paul Thomas Anderson was named Best Director for ‘One Battle After Another.’ He also won awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography, and dedicated his directing honour to late producer and assistant director Brit Adam Somner. Vampire saga “Sinners” and gothic horror “Frankenstein” won three awards each. Ryan Coogler took Best Original Screenplay for ‘Sinners,’ while Wunmi Mosaku won Supporting Actress.

Wild card Vaishnavi Adkar delivered the performance of her young career on Saturday, reaching her first-ever singles final at an ITF W100 event with a commanding straight-sets win over Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee.

The 21-year-old from Pune, ranked 690 in the world, stunned the second seed and World No. 126, 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals in Bengaluru — becoming the first Indian since Sania Mirza to reach a singles final at an ITF W100 or higher tournament.

Adkar’s run has been nothing short of remarkable, with two top-150 scalps en route to the title clash.

In a major boost to India’s clean-energy manufacturing sector, Waaree Energies committed to establishing India’s largest integrated lithium-ion battery gigafactory at Rambilli in Anakapalli district with an investment of ₹8,175 crore.

According to an official release, the greenfield facility will have a capacity of 16 GWh and cover the complete battery value chain, including cell manufacturing, battery packs and Battery Energy Storage Systems.

The project received in-principle approval from the State Investment Promotion Board. Welcoming the investment, IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh said the project marks a significant milestone in the State’s clean-energy journey.