Ground-penetrating radar data obtained by China's Zhurong rover has revealed buried beneath the Martian surface evidence of what look like sandy beaches from the shoreline of a large ocean that may have existed long ago on the northern plains of Mars.

The findings are the latest evidence indicating the existence of this hypothesized ocean, called Deuteronilus, roughly 3.5 to 4 billion years ago, a time when Mars - now cold and desolate - possessed a thicker atmosphere and warmer climate. An ocean of liquid water on the Martian surface, according to scientists, potentially could have harbored living organisms, much like the primordial seas of early Earth.

The rover, which operated from May 2021 to May 2022, journeyed about 1.2 miles (1.9 km) in an area that exhibits surface features suggestive of an ancient shoreline. Its ground-penetrating radar, which transmitted high-frequency radio waves into the ground that reflected off subsurface features, probed up to 80 meters (260 feet) beneath the surface.

The Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) on Thursday announced a series of initiatives, including ‘One Nation: One Port Process (ONOP)’, aimed at modernizing India’s maritime infrastructure, strengthening its global trade presence and promoting sustainability.

Ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the initiatives during a stakeholders' meeting to discuss various possibilities from the major announcements made in the Union Budget 2025-26 for the maritime sector.

The minister launched the ONOP initiative to standardize and streamline operations across India’s major ports. The step aims at removing inconsistencies in documentation and processes that led to inefficiencies, increased costs, and operational delays.

The Indian Express Chief Editor and Author Raj Kamal Jha won the 'Banaras Lit Fest Award' in 'Ruskin Bond Fiction Book Award Category' for his Novel "The Patient in Bed Number 12' at Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards in Delhi.

Raj Kamal Jha's "The Patient in Bed Number 12" features a searing investigation of the pulse of today's India: a billion-plus young people, restless and ambitious, trying to shed the burdens of their past--and yet haunted by ghosts of mistrust and hate.

The award was announced during the curtain raiser event of Banaras Lit Fest on February 23.

Vantara, a large-scale animal (wildlife) rescue centre led by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, has won the Prani Mitra National Award from the Government of India.

“Anant Ambani’s Vantara has been conferred with the prestigious ‘Prani Mitra’ National Award, India’s highest honour in animal welfare, by the Government of India under the 'Corporate' category,” Reliance Industries said in a statement.

The award specifically recognised the contributions of Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), an organization under Vantara that aims to rescue, treat, and provide lifelong care for elephants.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated the death anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar. In a heartfelt message, PM Modi lauded Savarkar's unparalleled sacrifice and dedication to the nation.

He emphasised that Savarkar's ideals continue to inspire millions across the country.

"On behalf of all countrymen, I pay a respectful tribute to Veer Savarkar Ji on his death anniversary. The grateful nation can never forget his invaluable contribution filled with penance, sacrifice, courage, and struggle in the freedom movement," English translation of what PM wrote on X.

In a significant move to transcend from B2C to B2B approach for tribal marketing, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has entered into a strategic partnership with National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), and Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd. (HPMC) to facilitate tribal businesses.

According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, to take it forward, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on Monday in New Delhi, marking a pivotal step in facilitating the implementation of the B2B approach and augmentation of the tribal product market.

A new international fund has been created to help protect biodiversity. The ‘Cali Fund’ was launched on February 25, 2025, at the resumed 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rome.

It will collect money from private companies. These companies use genetic data from nature in their businesses. This marks an important step in ensuring industries benefiting from biodiversity also contribute to its conservation.

The Cali Fund will receive money from businesses that rely on Digital Sequence Information (DSI). DSI includes genetic data from plants, animals, and microorganisms. Industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and biotechnology use DSI to develop products.

The Government e Marketplace (GeM) commemorated six years of Startups, Women, and Youth Advantage through eTransactions (SWAYATT) initiative at its New Delhi headquarters (HQ) on February 19, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a release on Tuesday.

Launched on 19 February 2019, SWAYATT was conceptualised with the clear objective of invigorating the participation of women-led enterprises and youth in public procurement.

Rooted in GeM's foundational pillar of social inclusion, SWAYATT is the portal's commitment to enhancing the ease of doing business and establishing direct market linkages to annual public procurement for startups, women entrepreneurs, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and youth, especially those from backward sections of society.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry on Thursday entered into a historic partnership with the Startup Policy Forum (SPF), a reputed industry organisation representing India’s leading new-age companies.

Pertinently, the SPF Baithak—a gathering of founders and policymakers—would be organised on January 15-16 here at Bharat Mandapam, as part of National Startup Week celebrations. The event will offer a meaningful platform to announce new collaborations between DPIIT and SPF members. Additionally, SPF will partner with DPIIT to organize specialized immersive programs, enabling global investors to engage with Indian startups and witness firsthand the groundbreaking innovations emerging from across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary, Startup India, Shri Sanjiv said that this strategic collaboration with SPF underscores DPIIT’s unflinching commitment to create a congenial atmosphere where startups could thrive and contribute immensely to India’s mission of becoming a global innovation hub.

Adding further he said the SPF members represent the essence of India’s entrepreneurial spirit and their participation in this mission will play a crucial role in achieving the goal of developed India by 2047.

Renowned Gujarati poet and essayist Anil Joshi, known for his works such as Kadach and Statue, and for returning his 1990 Sahitya Akademi award to protest attacks on literary writers in 2015, passed away after a brief hospitalisation on Wednesday. He was 85.

Joshi was hospitalised earlier this month for treatment for an age-related illness. He passed away at his Mumbai residence early in the morning, according to his son, Sanket, who posted the news on social media. Born into an affluent bureaucrat family in Rajkot, Anil Joshi’s tryst with poetry began after an eye injury forced him to abandon his dream of a cricketing career. The eldest among five brothers and four sisters, Joshi went on to achieve many literary laurels in Gujarat and Mumbai, where he moved in the 1970s.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and said, “Saddened to hear the news of the demise of Anil Joshi… His contribution to modern Gujarati literature will always be remembered… Prayers for the peace of the departed soul and condolences to the bereaved family and readers…”