Todays News

  When Hurricane Helene tore through Florida and Pennsylvania in 2024, emergency responders faced a familiar challenge: how to quickly assess widespread damage across thousands of buildings to prioritize rescue operations and allocate resources. What once took days of painstaking manual assessment now takes mere minutes, thanks to a groundbreaking AI system developed at Texas A&M University. The technology, aptly named CLARKE—short for Computer vision and Learning for Analysis of Roads and Key Edifices—represents a quantum leap in disaster response capabilities. "This is the first AI system that can classify building and road damage from drone imagery at this scale and speed," explains Dr. Robin Murphy, a pioneer in rescue robotics who co-developed the system. "We're talking about assessing a neighborhood of 2,000 homes in just seven minutes. That kind of speed can save lives and resources." The Magic Behind the Machine CLARKE's name pays homage to scie...

  In a groundbreaking decision that promises to reshape the educational landscape in India, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially approved the introduction of Open-Book Assessments (OBAs) for Class 9 students, effective from the academic session 2026-27. This transformative initiative, ratified by CBSE's Governing Body in June 2025, marks a significant departure from traditional examination methods and aligns with the progressive vision outlined in the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023. A Paradigm Shift from Rote Learning to Competency-Based Education The introduction of open-book exams represents more than just a change in assessment methodology—it's a fundamental shift in educational philosophy. As the NCFSE 2023 emphasizes, there's an urgent need to transition from rote memorization to competency-based learning, with OBAs serving as a powerful catalyst for this transformation. This move addresses a long-standing con...

  India's aviation industry has achieved another historic milestone, cementing its position as the world's fifth-largest aviation market in 2024. This remarkable achievement underscores the country's rapid economic growth, rising middle-class aspirations, and the transformative power of air connectivity in driving national development. The Numbers Tell a Compelling Story According to the latest World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) report released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India handled an impressive 241 million passengers in 2024, marking an 11.1% year-on-year increase. This surge propelled India past Japan, which recorded 205 million passengers, securing its place among the world's aviation elite. The global aviation landscape now sees the United States maintaining its dominance with 876 million passengers, followed by China at 741 million. The UK holds third position with 261 million passengers, while Spain occupies fourth place with ...

  Breaking New Ground in Commercial Space India's space ecosystem is witnessing a pivotal moment as Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space prepares to launch its first commercial satellite mission aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. Scheduled for the third quarter of 2025, the LEAP-1 mission represents more than just another satellite launch—it symbolizes India's growing prowess in the global commercial space market and the maturation of its private space industry. From Technology Demonstration to Commercial Reality The LEAP-1 (Launch, Experiment, Analyze, Progress) mission marks a significant evolution for Dhruva Space, transitioning from experimental technology demonstrations to globally competitive commercial operations. This milestone builds upon the company's successful qualification of its P-30 satellite bus during the LEAP-TD mission on ISRO's PSLV-C58 POEM-3 mission in January 2024. The decision to partner with SpaceX's Falcon 9 for this inaugural commercial mission...

  Nature's Fury Strikes Again in India's Himalayan State In the early hours of August 5, 2025, the serene landscape of Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district was transformed into a scene of devastation as a sudden cloudburst triggered catastrophic flash floods and landslides. The disaster, centered around the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, has claimed at least four lives and left dozens of people missing, marking another tragic chapter in the state's ongoing battle with extreme weather events. The Disaster Unfolds The cloudburst struck the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river near Dharali village in Uttarkashi district, unleashing torrents of water that quickly overwhelmed the region. The sudden and intense downpour created a deadly cascade of destruction, with massive streams of water and silt gushing through the village, sweeping away everything in their path. District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed the initial death toll of four people, while w...