Researchers have discovered a new species of dragonfly from Kerala and named it Lyriothemis keralensis, recognising the State’s exceptional biodiversity. The species was recorded from Varapetty near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district, where it inhabits vegetated pools and irrigation canals within well shaded pineapple and rubber plantations.

The study was conducted by Dattaprasad Sawant of the Indian Foundation for Butterflies, Bengaluru, A. Vivek Chandran of the Department of Wildlife Science College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Renjith Jacob Mathews of the Society for Odonate Studies, Kerala and Krushnamegh Kunte of the National Centre for Biological Science, Bengaluru. The findings have been published in the International Journal of Odonatology.

According to Dr. Chandran the newly described dragonfly is seasonally visible only during the Southwest monsoon from later May to the end of August. During the remaining months of the year, the species is believed to persist in its aquatic larval stage, surviving in the network of canals and pools inside shaded plantatiaon landscapes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a Special Economic Package of 175 million dollars for the Seychelles. Addressing the Joint Press Meet after meeting the President of the Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, in New Delhi, Mr Modi said that this package will support Social Housing, E-Mobility, Vocational Training, Health, Defence, and Maritime Security. India and Seychelles have also signed 7 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors, including Health, Meteorology, Electronics and Information Technology and Good Governance.

The agreements include technical and scientific collaboration between the India Meteorological Department and the Seychelles Meteorological Authority. On the occasion, Mr Modi said that India and Seychelles are connected not just by geography but by history, trust and shared vision for the future. The Prime Minister added that as a maritime neighbour and trusted partner, Seychelles holds a special place in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

In Shooting, the Indian trio of Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, and Rhythm Sangwan clinched the gold medal in the women’s 25m pistol team event at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship in New Delhi today. The Indian team topped the standings with a combined score of 1,751 points. Chinese Taipei claimed the silver medal with 1,735 points, while Vietnam secured bronze with 1,729 points. Meanwhile, in the women’s 25m pistol individual event, Manu Bhaker won the silver medal after narrowly missing out on gold in a shoot-off tie-break against Vietnam’s Thuy Trang Nguyen, with both shooters tied on 35 points. Nguyen edged past Bhaker after two shoot-offs to claim the gold medal. Esha Singh added to India’s tally by securing the bronze medal with a score of 30 points.

The Chandrayaan-4 Mission is at least two years away, but the ISRO has identified a location in the South Polar region of Moon to land its lander.

The union government has approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission, designed as a lunar sample-return mission and it will be India’s most complex lunar endeavour yet.

"We are targeting 2028 for Chandrayaan-4," ISRO chairman V Narayanan had earlier said.

According to ISRO officials, they had zeroed in on four sites of the Mons Mouton (MM) and found one of them suitable for landing on the lunar surface.

City Union Bank Limited said the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of R. Vijay Anandh as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank.

In a regulatory filing, the bank said the RBI, through a letter dated February 9, 2026, conveyed its approval for Anandh’s appointment for a period of three years, effective May 1, 2026, along with remuneration.

Anandh is currently serving as the Executive Director of the bank. The appointment will be subject to approval of the bank’s shareholders.

CUB had reported a stable set of results for the third quarter, marked by healthy profit growth, a sharp rise in net interest income and an improvement in asset quality metrics.

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) on Tuesday said that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has approved two composite schemes of arrangement for the merger and amalgamation of 17 wholly owned subsidiary companies into two other wholly owned subsidiaries of the company.

In a regulatory disclosure, Power Grid said the MCA, through separate orders dated January 27, has sanctioned the schemes, which were received by the company on February 4.

Under the approved schemes, 12 subsidiary companies will be merged into POWERGRID Khavda II-C Transmission Limited as part of Scheme Group-A. These include entities associated with transmission projects such as Khavda, KPS, ERWR, Raipur Pool Dhamtari, Dharamjaigarh, Bhadla-Sikar, Ananthapuram-Kurnool, Koppal-Gadag, Neemrana-Bareilly and Bidar transmission systems.

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has won the Silver Award under the category “Excellence Award for Women in Green Energy and Energy Efficiency” at the 6th Green Urja and Energy Efficiency Awards held in New Delhi.

The awards have been organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to recognise outstanding contributions in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors. The award has been presented by former Power Secretary Anil Razdan in the presence of senior industry leaders and dignitaries.

The award has been received on behalf of IREDA by senior women officers, including Mala Ghosh Choudhury, General Manager (HR); Durre Shahwar, General Manager (HR); and Punnu Grover, Chief Compliance Officer, along with other women employees of the organisation.

India today successfully test-fired the Agni-III intermediate-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha. The launch was conducted under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command as part of a routine training exercise to validate the operational and technical preparedness of the missile system. Defence officials confirmed that the test met all mission objectives and all parameters were successfully validated. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Agni-Three is a two-stage, solid-fuelled ballistic missile with a strike range exceeding three thousand kilometres. The missile is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.

A key component of India’s credible minimum deterrence strategy, the Agni-III has been inducted into the Strategic Forces Command since 2011. The successful test underscores India’s continued focus on strengthening its strategic deterrence and maintaining high levels of operational readiness.

Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, will lay the foundation stone for the Quantum Valley in Amaravati today. Both leaders will also address a public meeting on the occasion.

According to the state government, the Quantum Valley is a landmark initiative to establish India’s first 133-qubit quantum computer, with leading companies such as IBM, TCS and L&T partnering in the project.

The facility will focus on research, innovation, manufacturing and skill development in areas including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, healthcare, defence and finance.

Hyderabad witnessed a historic moment as Arun Ice Creams, one of India’s most popular ice cream brands, successfully gathered 5,113 children to create the world’s largest ice cream social party. The event, held on February 6, 2026, resulted in a new Guinness World Record, marking a significant achievement for the homegrown brand on the global stage.

The record-breaking initiative brought together thousands of children who enjoyed a variety of Arun Ice Creams products including blackcurrant and strawberry bars, caramel sandwiches, and chocolate cones, all made with real milk and cream. The participants consumed ice cream continuously for 30 minutes, creating a seamless and coordinated experience that met the strict requirements for the world record attempt.