The Trump administration has taken a dramatic step in reshaping U.S. foreign aid by terminating 2,000 employees from the U.S. Agency for International Development while placing thousands more on administrative leave around the globe. Following a ruling by a federal judge, the decision affects both domestic and international USAID staff, leaving only those designated as essential for mission-critical functions, leadership, or specific programs in active service. As of 11:59 p.m. EST on

  An American Airlines flight en route from New York City to New Delhi experienced an unexpected diversion on Sunday afternoon when it landed at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport following a security alert. The incident, which has since been labeled as a “non-credible” concern by the airline, underscores the rigorous protocols that govern air travel safety in today’s dynamic security environment. T

Microsoft is making a massive $80 billion investment in artificial intelligence this year, reinforcing its leadership in the AI industry. However, a surprising Microsoft-Carnegie Mellon University study suggests that overreliance on generative AI, like ChatGPT, could lead to a decline in critical-thinking and analytical skills among professionals.The research found that workers who trusted AI for writing, analysis, and decision-making practiced those skills less over time, leading to self-dou

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami declared on Sunday that his party would lead a grand alliance in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections to challenge the ruling DMK and ensure electoral victory. Speaking at a public meeting in Vellore district, he dismissed DMK’s claims of ideological unity and emphasized that alliances are formed strategically to consolidate votes.   Despite Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam ruling out an alliance, Palaniswami remained confi

On Monday morning, a bomb threat letter was discovered aboard a Jeddah-Ahmedabad international flight at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Patel International Airport. The threat letter, which was found by cleaning staff under a seat after all passengers had disembarked, caused immediate alarm. Local police, along with the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and other security agencies, launched an investig

A Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed today near Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, while on a routine training mission. The two pilots onboard the multirole jet were able to eject safely and are reported to be unharmed. The crash is under investigation, with a court of inquiry ordered to determine the cause of the incident. Mirage 2000 aircraft have been in service with the IAF for several decades and are renowned for their reliability and versatility in various combat

Vijay Mallya, the fugitive liquor baron, has approached the Karnataka High Court, claiming that banks have recovered the "principal debt amount multiple times over" in the Kingfisher Airlines loan default case. In his petition, Mallya has sought directions from the banks to provide a statement of the recovered amount.Justice R Devdas issued notices to 10 banks, including State Bank of India (SBI) and Punjab National Bank (PNB), a recovery official, and an asset reconstruction compan

A total of 205 Indian nationals who had illegally entered the United States were deported aboard a US military C-17 aircraft, which took off from Texas. Each deportee’s nationality was verified, signaling New Delhi’s involvement in the process. This is likely the first of many such deportations as part of a broader effort to address illegal immigration. The aircraft, typically equipped for larger transports, can accommodate up to 205 passengers, though it only has one toilet unles

Microsoft has officially added the newly released DeepSeek-R1 AI model to both Azure AI Foundry and GitHub, offering developers a powerful tool to enhance their AI applications. This reasoning-focused model can now be accessed through these platforms, giving developers the ability to experiment, iterate, and integrate AI into their workflows quickly and efficiently. Azure AI Foundry, an enterprise-focused platform, allows for the building, evaluation, and development of generative AI applicat

In response to the government's request, IndiGo has decided to reduce airfares for flights to Prayagraj by 30-50%, a move aimed at making travel more affordable during the ongoing Kumbh Mela. This decision follows consultations between airlines and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which urged the carriers to adjust their pricing and increase their flight capacities to accommodate the massive influx of devotees. The Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13, is expected to attract aro

Microsoft 365 Renamed to Microsoft 365 Copilot On January 15, 2025, Microsoft announced that it had renamed its 'Microsoft 365' application to 'Microsoft 365 Copilot.' This change reflects the integration of the AI-powered Copilot Chat feature within the app, enhancing its functionality for users across web, mobile (Android and iOS), and Windows systems. Purpose of the Branding Change The branding change aims to highlig

Delhi is facing a pollution crisis as dense fog and an air quality index (AQI) dangerously close to the ‘severe’ category prompt the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reintroduce stricter pollution measures under GRAP-3 and GRAP-4. These measures were only revoked recently, with the AQI at 396 at 6 pm and expected to exceed the 400 mark. In response to the deteriorating air quality and in compliance with Supreme Court orders, the CAQM has immediately enforc

Dense fog enveloped parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) this morning, significantly reducing visibility and resulting in disruptions to travel. More than 150 flights were delayed, with an average delay of 41 minutes, as reported by aviation website FlightRadar24. Additionally, around 26 trains were delayed or cancelled due to the thick fog. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed that departures were impacted but assured travelers that CAT III-compliant fligh

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has raised serious concerns about the ongoing delays in the delivery of the Tejas fighter aircraft, calling for an urgent boost in private sector partnerships for defence product development. Speaking at the 21st Subroto Mukherjee Seminar, Singh emphasized that R&D in defence becomes irrelevant if it doesn't meet its timelines, pointing out how the Tejas project, conceived in 1984, still faces delays. Despite its induction into the Indian Air Force in 2016,

India strongly condemned the Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan civilians, which resulted in at least 51 deaths, including women and children, in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on December 24. In a statement on Monday, Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the attack, describing it as part of Pakistan's longstanding practice of blaming its neighbors for its internal problems. The airstrikes targeted areas in Paktika, particularly affecting the village of Laman,

The polar vortex, a powerful atmospheric phenomenon, is expected to cause a dramatic shift in weather patterns across the eastern United States. As the vortex weakens and shifts southward, frigid Arctic air will move down into the country, bringing temperatures that could plunge as much as 30 degrees below normal. This extreme cold event will be one of the harshest in recent years, especially compared to the record warmth seen during last year's winter. The cold air will first a

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has launched its recruitment drive for 89 Junior Assistant (Fire Services) positions across India. Candidates interested in applying for these positions must meet the educational qualifications, which include being a 10th pass with a three-year approved diploma in Mechanical, Automobile, or Fire disciplines, or having completed their 12th standard (regular study). The online registration for the recruitment will close on January 28, 2025, and applicants ca

As the US tourism industry struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels, the hospitality sector has found hope in the rising number of Indian visitors. In 2024, nearly 1.9 million Indians traveled to the US, marking a 48% increase from 2019, driven by a rise in business and leisure visas. This influx is supporting the recovery of US tourism, with hotels and travel companies adjusting their offerings to cater to Indian tastes, such as providing chai and samosas in hotel lobbies and airing popula

In South Korea's deadliest air disaster, a Jeju Air passenger jet, Flight 7C2216, crashed during its landing attempt at Muan International Airport on Sunday, resulting in 179 fatalities. The crash occurred after a series of events, starting with a bird strike reported by the pilot as the flight was approaching the airport. According to the final timeline of the flight, the aircraft was cleared by air traffic control at 8:54 am to land on runway 01. However, just minutes later, a

On Christmas, an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau city in Kazakhstan, leading to the deaths of 38 people out of the 67 on board. The flight had originally departed from Baku, Azerbaijan, headed for Grozny, Russia, but was diverted when it was unable to land in Grozny due to dense fog. The aircraft, rerouted over the Caspian Sea, crashed in an open field near Aktau after encountering difficulties. 29 passengers survived the crash. Azerbaijan Airlines, in