The estimated population of saltwater crocodiles, one of the largest reptiles in the world, has increased in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR) from last year, according to a population survey by the State’s Forest Department.

“In comparison [to 2024], there is an increase in the number of all demographic classes [of saltwater crocodiles], specifically in the hatchling class. This is an encouraging sign as sighting of hatchlings is very rare and difficult in the terrain of Sundarbans,” the Forest Department report titled ‘Population Assessment and Habitat Ecology Study of Saltwater Crocodiles in Sundarbans 2025’ says.

According to the report released on Monday (August 18, 2025), the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest of all crocodilians and the largest reptile in the world. They are “hypercarnivorous apex predators” that keep flowing water ecosystems clean by feeding on the carcasses and wild remains in the water.

Scientists have developed two potential antibiotics using artificial intelligence (AI) that could kill drug-resistant gonorrhoea and MRSA. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) used generative AI algorithms to scan through a list of potential molecules to predict which one could work as an antibiotic for the superbugs.

AI also helped scientists avoid structures that could be harmful to humans or too similar to existing drugs, according to the study published in the journal Cell. After identifying the molecules, both new antibiotics were able to kill strains of bacteria that are becoming increasingly difficult to treat with existing antibiotics.

"We're excited because we show that generative AI can be used to design completely new antibiotics," Professor James Collins, MIT, was quoted as saying by the BBC.

As informed by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), India currently hosts three Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS): the Koraput region in Odisha, the Kuttanad farming system in Kerala, and the Saffron Heritage of Kashmir. The Koraput region is renowned for its subsistence paddy cultivation, predominantly on highland slopes, and is home to a vast diversity of paddy landraces and farmer-developed varieties. It also harbors rich genetic resources of medicinal plants, deeply interwoven with the indigenous tribal communities and their traditional knowledge systems. The Kuttanad system in Kerala stands out as a unique below-sea-level farming landscape, comprising wetlands for paddy cultivation and fish catching, garden lands for coconut and food crops, and inland water bodies for fishing and shell collection. Meanwhile, the Saffron Park of Kashmir represents a rich agro-pastoral system characterized by traditional saffron cultivation, intercropping, and the use of organic farming practices, all of which contribute to maintaining local biodiversity and soil health.

GIAHS is an FAO programme. Schemes and policies of Government of India support these sites. As reported by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, for economic revival of saffron cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir has been supported under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

In 1817, the Hindu College was established in Calcutta to provide what its founders demanded — a ‘liberal education’ for Bengal’s youth. About a decade later, in 1826, a 17-year-old Anglo-Portuguese aspiring poet, Henry Derozio, was appointed lecturer in the senior wing of the college. His teachings gained him a loyal following of students, who debated politics and challenged orthodoxy and Brahmanical supremacy in a caste-ridden society. Although Derozio was dismissed from the institution in 1831 and died later the same year of cholera, his legacy left a deep imprint on the minds of his students.

In her book, India’s First Radicals: Young Bengal and the British Empire, published by Penguin Random House India Pvt. Ltd. (2025), academic and author Rosinka Chaudhuri examines the subsequent activities of this group of students who, in the 1840s, came to be known as Young Bengal. Chaudhuri credits the group with many firsts, including forming India’s first political party — the Bengal British India Society — in 1843 in association with British orator and prominent abolitionist George Thompson. She further notes that Young Bengal generated a language of leftist politics in India, and they were among the earliest advocates of constitutional reform under colonial rule.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that a daughter-in-law, who becomes a widow after the demise of her father-in-law, is entitled to claim maintenance from the estate derived from his coparcenary property.

A division bench comprising Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar said that even if the father-in-law owns significant separate or self-acquired assets, the duty to maintain arises only from the coparcenary property which would subsequently form a part of his estate after his death.

The Court referred to Section 21(vii) of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, and said that the provision provides that a widow is entitled to seek maintenance from the estate of her father-in-law.

Photography is more than just capturing images; it’s a powerful way of telling stories, preserving memories, and connecting people across cultures and generations. Every year on August 19, the world comes together to celebrate World Photography Day, honouring the art, craft, and science behind photography. It is a day to appreciate the photographers who use their lenses to inspire, document, and drive change.

Photography has the unique power to freeze moments in time, highlight unseen realities, and bridge gaps of understanding. From professional photojournalists to hobbyists with smartphones, this day is a reminder of how images influence the way we see the world.

Third-ranked Iga Swiatek captured the Cincinnati Open title for the first time by defeating No. 7 Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 on Monday night.

Swiatek had failed to advance past the semifinals in her six previous appearances at the Cincinnati Open. She reached the semifinals in Cincinnati each of the past two years, but lost to eventual champions Coco Gauff in 2023 and Aryna Sabalenka in 2024.

"It means a lot to me," Swiatek said. "This year, I really wanted it. I'm just very happy. It's nice to check off the list another tournament that I haven't won. I have friends here. It's a nice, relaxed tournament before New York."

Swiatek has won all six meetings against the Italian, dropping only one set in those matches.

Miss Universe India 2025 has finally been crowned, and Manika Vishwakarma from Rajasthan will now represent India at the global 74th Miss Universe competition to be held in Thailand later this year. Crowned by Miss Universe India 2024 Rhea Singha, she beat Tanya Sharma from Uttar Pradesh (the first runner-up), Mehak Dhingra from Haryana (the second runner-up), and Amishi Kaushik (the third runner-up) to win the coveted title.

The finale round saw Manika face a tough question: If she had to choose between advocating for women’s education or providing economic aid to poor families, what would she prioritise and why? She chose women’s education, calling it the key to breaking cycles of poverty. She said, “Educating women doesn’t just change one life, it transforms the future of families, communities, and nations.”

TikTok and the Nepal Tourism Board jointly announced a partnership on Tuesday to promote Nepal’s tourism sector through a creator-led campaign. The in-app experience is expected to help travellers discover the country’s must-see destinations and unexplored locations.

Nepal Tourism Board and TikTok will work jointly with both local and globally renowned travel creators, inviting and supporting them to explore Nepal and document their journeys through captivating short-form videos that showcase the country’s beauty and culture to audiences worldwide. Throughout the campaign, creators will publish content on TikTok, showcasing Nepal’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, including festivals, arts, cuisine, and community traditions. Rolling out through the remainder of 2025, the collaboration is expected to deliver a continuous flow of creator content on TikTok alongside a dedicated #VisitNepal in-app experience.

Tourism Minister Badri Pandey, at the launch of the lifetime experience campaign, expressed his view that with collaboration with TikTok, Nepal will have a wider reach to global travellers intending to visit Nepal. He expected that this campaign would enhance Nepal’s socio-economic status.

Press Registrar General of India (PRGI) Yogesh Baweja has said the Press Sewa portal has been introduced as a single-window solution to simplify the registration process for newspapers and periodicals. He said the initiative will enhance transparency, speed up approvals and improve the ease of doing business for publishers and resolve the issues faced by publishers. He was interacting with publishers at Vartalap, organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Hyderabad, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

PIB Hyderabad Additional Director General Shruti Patil highlighted that this was the first interactive session of its kind in Telangana, designed to clarify publishers’ queries and provide guidance on the new Registration of Periodicals Act (PRP Act). She also announced that PIB Hyderabad, with the support of PRGI, would soon establish a dedicated helpline for publishers.

Deputy Press Registrar Ashutosh Mohle explained that the entire registration process has transitioned online since March last year. He stated that applications will be deemed approved if there is no response within 60 days and emphasised the importance of publishers avoiding agents and using the PRGI portal directly.