Bihar YouTuber Arrested For Slapping Train Passenger For Social Media Fame

A man who slapped a random passenger onboard a train at Bihar's Anugraha Narayan Road railway station and recorded the entire act for online fame has finally been taught a lesson. The culprit, identified as Ritesh Kumar, stood at the railway platform and waited for the train to roll away before going near it and slapping an unsuspecting passenger. All this while, his friend recorded the act to be posted on social media.

As the video clip went viral, social media users reacted negatively and demanded the authorities to take action against Kumar. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) sprung into action and apprehended Kumar, who was directed to release an apology.

"No compromise on passenger security!! A YouTuber who slapped a passenger on a moving train for social media fame has been tracked & arrested by RPF Dehri-on-Sone!" RPF said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

"Your safety matters to us-reckless acts will not be tolerated."

Meanwhile, Kumar in the apology video admitted his mistake, stating that he wanted to increase his followers by staging such a video.

"I am a YouTuber. I make and post videos on Instagram to increase my followers. I came to Anugraha Narayan Road railway station and, to boost my follower count, slapped a passenger on a moving train," said Kumar.

"This was my mistake, and I won't repeat it. Please forgive me," he added.

No compromise on passenger security !!
A YouTuber who slapped a passenger on a moving train for social media fame has been tracked & arrested by #RPF Dehri-on-Sone! pic.twitter.com/4KckhrCyPy
Your safety matters to us—reckless acts will not be tolerated.#PassengerSafety #RPFAction… pic.twitter.com/2h00IQPTKj

— RPF INDIA (@RPF_INDIA) February 27, 2025

Social media reacts

Reacting to the news of Kumar's arrest, social media users applauded RPF for taking action and demanded that all vandals be punished similarly.

"Good job RPF. Such vandals should be taught a lesson," said one user while another added: "Without harsh punishment they will never going to learn. Fine them huge amount."

A third commented: "I hope all those who vandalised trains will be tracked down, arrested and given exemplary punishment too. No one has the right to damage public property."

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"No Rift": Congress After Kerala Meeting Amid Shashi Tharoor Row

Signalling an end to the row over Thiruvanathapuram MP Shashi Tharoor's 'praise' for the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala, the state Congress unit has dismissed reports of a rift and asserted that the party is united. 

The statement was made, with Mr Tharoor by her side, on Friday by Congress' Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi after the party brass held a long brainstorming meeting with leaders from the state unit ahead of the Assembly elections in the state next year. 

The meeting came a day after the four-time Thiruvanathapuram MP and former Union minister slammed sections of the media for interpreting his statement that he had multiple "options to spend my time" to mean that he had political options apart from the Congress. 

Speaking to NDTV after the meeting, Ms Dasmunshi said, "What Shashi Tharoor ji has clarified has been done in a very straight manner and there is no confusion on that. I don't know why you all always take Shashi Tharoor's name... It has been told generally to everyone that action will be taken against anyone crossing the party line and saying something that goes against the party."

"Because there is a controversy by the media and by the translation of what he said... I will say there is no one in the Kerala unit of the party who is pro-Left Democratic Front (LDF) or pro-BJP. Everyone is fighting against (them) and fighting unitedly," she added. 

A similar message was also given by senior party leader Ramesh Chennithala. "Everybody will be united and fight for the people of Kerala as the state government has failed on all fronts. We will fight and a (Congress-led) United Democratic front will come to power in 2026," he said.

Apart from leaders from Kerala, including Mr Tharoor and state Congress chief K Sudhakaran, the brainstorming meeting - which went on for nearly three hours - was also attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, General Secretary KC Venugopal, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi. 

In a post on X, Mr Kharge shared photos and videos from the meeting and said that the people of Kerala will defeat both the "oppressive and communal" fronts in the state. 

"Change is inevitable in Kerala. Congress has built the development paradigm and welfare model of Kerala, and we will do everything possible to bring our UDF to power. Next year, people will defeat both the oppressive and communal fronts in the state. We held a meeting of @INCKerala leaders where we deliberated on our political strategy and the future of the state," he wrote.

Sparking Controversy

Earlier this month, Mr Tharoor came under fire from some Congress leaders for praising PM Narendra Modi's visit to the US, where he met President Donald Trump, saying it had led to some positive outcomes for Indians. 

He then wrote an article in an English daily in which he was seen as praising the performance of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in some sectors. While some in the Congress slammed the remarks, Chief Minister Vijayan said they were proof of his government's achievements. 

Defending his remarks on PM Modi, Mr Tharoor had said that he could not "always speak in terms of party interest". On the article, the MP said he was focusing on the startup sector in Kerala, the seeds for which were sown by the Congress-led government under Oommen Chandy. 

"As a Member of Parliament from Kerala, I wrote this article focusing on a specific issue -- the transformation of the industrial landscape through the growth of the startup sector. As a Congress worker, I take pride in acknowledging that it was former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who initiated this change," he said.

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Musk Suggests More Salary For US Congress Members To Discourage Corruption

Elon Musk, the billionaire appointed by President Donald Trump to slash the size of the US government, suggested Thursday that members of the US Congress should get salary increases as a way to discourage corruption.

Although the tech billionaire is officially only an advisor, Trump has bestowed him with enormous power to cut federal spending and bureaucracy, as part of his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

"It might make sense to increase compensation for Congress and senior government employees to reduce the forcing function for corruption, as the latter might be as much as 1000 times more expensive to the public," Musk posted on his social media platform X.

Lawmakers in both parties are typically wary of the optics of large pay rises but acknowledge that competitive salaries are the best way of ensuring that the less well-off can serve.

The first draft of a short-term government funding bill that Musk helped defeat in December would have allowed for a modest salary increase by reenacting an automatic cost-of-living adjustment for lawmakers.

Congress has been blocking the adjustments every year since 2009.

But Musk argued against the provision, claiming falsely that it would mean a lavish 40 percent rise, and it was removed from the package.

The real increase for members of both chambers would have been about $6,600, or 3.8 percent.

Their $174,000 annual salary has been frozen for 15 years but is still far more than the average household income.

Musk, the world's richest person, spoke about the controversial DOGE program at Trump's first cabinet meeting Wednesday.

"If we don't do this, America will go bankrupt," the tech tycoon said, adding that he was "taking a lot of flak, and getting a lot of death threats."

One-third of his DOGE staff resigned in protest on Tuesday after he engineered a mass email to the federal government's two million workers, ordering them to justify their work or risk being fired.

Cabinet members have voiced frustration over the DOGE emails, according to US media, but Trump insisted that his team was "thrilled" with Musk

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Accused In Pune Rape Was Out On Bail, Has Multiple Cases Against Him

Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, the man allegedly responsible for the rape of a 26-year-old woman in Pune, is a history sheeter, who was out on bail, the police have said. A manhunt is on in the city since the young woman reported the rape earlier today. The police have pressed in eight teams and sniffer dogs. 

Gade has at least six cases of theft, robbery and chain-snatching registered against him in Pune and adjoining Ahilyanagar district. Arrested for a robbery, he has been out on bail snice 2019, reported news agency Press Trust of India quoting un-named officials. 

Cases were registered against him in Shikrapur and Shirur police station limits in Pune district. He also faces cases in Ahilyanagar district. As late as last year, a theft case was lodged against him in Pune.

A Pune police team has already questioned his brother to know his whereabouts.

The rape took place at Swargate bus stand, one of the busiest in the city. Today, when Gade tricked the woman into the empty bus, locked its door and assaulted her, there have been people around, the police had said. 

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Smartana Patil, has told reporters that CCTV footage showed the woman walking towards the bus with the accused. In fact, the police identified him from the footage. There were many people and several buses on the station premises when the incident took place, she said. 

The woman had been waiting for a bus for Phaltan in Satara district around 5.45 am. The accused, according to MSRTC officials, had taken her to the empty bus claiming to be its conductor. When she pointed out the bus was empty, he said it had people inside who were sleeping.
 
After the assault, the woman took a bus for her hometown and narrated the incident to her friend on phone while on way, the police said. On her friend's advice, she got off the bus and went to the police to report the matter.

The MSRTC is one of the three public transport bodies in the country, with a fleet of more than 14,000 buses. Every day, more than 55 lakh passengers travel by its buses.

(With Agencies)

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Out On Bail, Man Rapes Pune Woman Inside Bus 100 Metres From Police Station

Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, the man allegedly responsible for the rape of a 26-year-old woman in Pune, is a history sheeter, who was out on bail, the police have said. A manhunt is on in the city since the young woman reported the rape earlier today. The police have pressed in eight teams and sniffer dogs. 

Gade has at least six cases of theft, robbery and chain-snatching registered against him in Pune and adjoining Ahilyanagar district. Arrested for a robbery, he has been out on bail snice 2019, reported news agency Press Trust of India quoting un-named officials. 

Cases were registered against him in Shikrapur and Shirur police station limits in Pune district. He also faces cases in Ahilyanagar district. As late as last year, a theft case was lodged against him in Pune.

A Pune police team has already questioned his brother to know his whereabouts.

The rape took place at Swargate bus stand, one of the busiest in the city. Today, when Gade tricked the woman into the empty bus, locked its door and assaulted her, there have been people around, the police had said. 

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Smartana Patil, has told reporters that CCTV footage showed the woman walking towards the bus with the accused. In fact, the police identified him from the footage. There were many people and several buses on the station premises when the incident took place, she said. 

The woman had been waiting for a bus for Phaltan in Satara district around 5.45 am. The accused, according to MSRTC officials, had taken her to the empty bus claiming to be its conductor. When she pointed out the bus was empty, he said it had people inside who were sleeping.
 
After the assault, the woman took a bus for her hometown and narrated the incident to her friend on phone while on way, the police said. On her friend's advice, she got off the bus and went to the police to report the matter.

The MSRTC is one of the three public transport bodies in the country, with a fleet of more than 14,000 buses. Every day, more than 55 lakh passengers travel by its buses.

(With Agencies)

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Bangladesh Army Chief Warns "Country At Risk, Anarchy Of Our Own Making"

Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has acknowledged that there is a serious problem in his country with a rapidly worsening law and order situation. Blaming it on the political turmoil, leading to a sociopolitical crisis, the army chief said the situation is so dire now, that citizens are constantly "preoccupied with vilifying each other".

Speaking at an armed forces function, Gen Zaman said "The anarchy we have witnessed is of our own making". He also shared his concern over the extremely inefficient police force, saying that officers across the board - from senior to junior ranks - were afraid, because their peers were either facing judicial cases or were jailed.

This, he said, brings even more responsibility on the armed forces as law and order has faced a collapse.

"There is an urgent need for national unity and institutional discipline," the army chief said, adding that continuous and rapidly growing infighting in society puts Bangladesh's sovereignty at immense risk.

"If you can't move beyond your differences and continue meddling and fighting among yourselves, and if you continue to injure and kill one another, the independence and integrity of the country will be at risk - I warn you," the army chief said in an appeal to Bangladeshi citizens. He also said that "I have no other aspirations. For the past seven to eight months, I have had enough".

"Since stakeholders are busy accusing each other, miscreants find the situation favourable. They believe they can get away with anything," he added, without naming any political groups or factions.

Gen Zaman further noted that the gains of the student-led revolution that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government last August were at a risk too. General Waker-Uz-Zaman had taken over as Bangladesh's army chief after Ms Hasina fled to India amid widespread protests in the country.

Bangladesh has seen a surge in violence, vandalism, rioting, and other forms of criminal activity over the last few months. It had reached to such extremes by February, that security forces had to launch an offensive called 'Operation Devil Hunt'. In less than three weeks, 8,600 people were arrested. Bangladesh's interim government has accused these individuals of attempting to "destabilise the country".

Bangladesh has a long history of military coups. After Sheikh Hasina's ouster, the armed forces were granted judicial powers like the police, including arresting citizens. Amid a raft of allegations of enforced disappearances, murder, and torture of citizens, the army chief warned that such matters "must be investigated".

"Punishment must be ensured," he said. "Otherwise, we will be trapped in the same cycle."

Urging people to support the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus and assuring them of election as soon as possible, the army chief, who had sworn in the interim government. said "At the beginning, I had said it would take 18 months to hold an election. We are on that path. Professor Yunus is doing his best to keep us united. Let's help him."

Mr Yunus has said that Bangladesh will hold general elections in late 2025 or in early 2026.

Meanwhile, key student protest leader Nahid Islam has resigned from the interim government cabinet - where he headed the telecom ministry - ahead of the expected launch of a new political party on Friday, February 28.

(Inputs from AFP)
 

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India Getting 'Undeniable Advantage' In Champions Trophy: Cricket Greats

Pakistan might officially be the hosts of the ICC Champions Trophy but Team India's matches in the tournament are being held in Dubai. Even as the Indian team progresses to the semi-finals and the final, Dubai would remain the only venue for Rohit Sharma's men. Whereas for other teams, the Champions Trophy matches are taking place across five venues, with one of them being the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Though Pakistan are the 'hosts', former England greats Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain feel it's the Indian team that is enjoying a 'home advantage'.

"What about the advantage India have in playing in Dubai, only in Dubai? Which seems to me to be a hard-to-quantify advantage, but an undeniable advantage," said Michael Atherton in conversation with Naseer Hussain on Sky Sports Podcast.

"They're playing at just one venue. They don't have to travel either between venues or, you know, between countries, as a lot of other teams have to do.

The fact that all of India's matches are to be held in Dubai, Atherton feels the situation does give the team management an advantage over player selection.

"Therefore, the selection, you know, can focus on the conditions in Dubai. And obviously, they'll know where they're playing their semi-final as and when they get through to that. That seems to me to be an undeniable advantage, but, you know, kind of hard to quantify how big an advantage," he said.

Even Nasser Hussain feels the saying 'Pakistan host nation, India home advantage', is correct, considering the format that has been created for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain also called the Dubai factor an advantage, while also lauding the team composition they have set up for the venue.

"It is an advantage. So, the best team in the tournament has that advantage. And I saw a tweet the other day saying 'Pakistan host nation, India home advantage.' It sums it up really," he said.

"They are at one place, one hotel, they don't have to travel. They have one dressing room. They know the pitch, they have picked for that pitch.

"They were very smart in their selection. They probably knew what Dubai is going to be like. They picked all their spinners. there was a bit of debate with Indian media saying why don't you have gone for an extra seamer? Why all these spinners? Now we can seen why.

"For example the other sides like England if they do get to the semis they have only one spinner (Rehan Ahmed is added as replacement of Brydon Carse), Pakistan have one frontline spinner. You can says that when the injuries came they should have change that and I have made that argument.

"Other teams will have to pick playing XIs for different conditions in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi and then they have to travel and adjust to those conditions.

"So it is an advantage but what else could have happened. Once India refused to come to Pakistan, what could have happen. You can't have a tournament like this without India-Pakistan. It had to be in Dubai.

"They sit happily and comfortably there. They know they are going to play six games there and if they win all those, they will win another global tournament," he said.

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Rape Survivor Faces Horror Again In Bengaluru Hotel, Cop Arrested

A 17-year-old rape survivor was allegedly raped by a police constable at a Bengaluru hotel, officials said on Monday.

The incident took place in December, when constable Arun asked the survivor to meet her at a hotel on the pretext of helping her. 

According to officials, the teen initially befriended Vicky, who allegedly raped her on a false promise of marriage. Vicky also assaulted the girl.

The survivor's mother filed a complaint with Bommanahalli police, but Arun befriended the accused.

The constable assured justice to the girl and also promised to find her a job. He allegedly called her to a hotel, where he mixed sedatives in a liquor bottle and forced her to consume it. Arun then raped the survivor and threatened to circulate her private videos if she disclosed the incident to anyone, the officials said. 

Both Arun and Vicky have been arrested and charged under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The accused have been remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.

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Liquor Ban In J&K? Signature Campaign, Posters, Spark Massive Row

Jammu and Kashmir is seeing a fresh political row over liquor ban - an issue that came up in 2016 but got thumbs downed by Mehbooba Mufti's ruling People's Democratic Party. Now the battlelines have been re-drawn, with the PDP spearheading the demand for a ban. The party has started a signature campaign in support of the ban and it is the ruling National Conference that is accusing it of hypocrisy.
Over the weekend, posters came up across Srinagar, supporting the ban and calling upon tourists to "respect local culture and traditions". Police action to remove the posters has been questioned by the Opposition.

The matter is expected to dominate the assembly in the budget session which begins on March 3. Two members - one of the PDP and one from the National Conference -- have submitted bills to ban liquor.

PDP's Fayaz Ahamd Mir, National Conference's Ahsan Pardesi and a third MLA -- Awami Ittehad Party's (AIP) Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad - have moved separate bills in the assembly seeking ban on sale of liquor in the Union Territory.

Today PDP leader and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti  joined the signature campaign that was  launched by her daughter  Iltija Mufti yesterday. 

A day before, on Friday, traders at Srinagar's historic Lal Chowk had put up posters that, after welcoming tourists, said, "For a memorable and enjoyable trip, we kindly request: Love and cherish your family, avoid liquor, drugs, spitting on roads and smoking. Respect our culture and traditions".

NC MLA, Ahsan Pardesi said, in support of his bill, that the unchecked sale of alcohol disregards the religious and cultural ethos of Kashmir.

"Our heritage has always stood against intoxicants, and this bill is a step toward preserving those values," he added.

Kashmir - heavily dependent on tourism -- has always been cosmopolitan in its hospitality. The first liquor shop in the Valley dates back to the British era. Since then, liquor shops have functioned in Kashmir, but as terror broke out in the Valley in the 1990s, Islamist terrorist groups banned the sale of liquor.

The ruling National Conference has said it is pro-choice and would prefer to leave it to tourists to decide whether they wanted a tipple or not.

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Champions Trophy: Inglis Orchestrates Australia's Historic Win Over England

Australia vs England Highlights, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Josh Inglis' fighting century put Ben Duckett's heroic 165 in vain as Australia defeated England by 5 wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Saturday. Despite having a poor start, Australia chased down the target of 352 in 47.3 overs, thanks to Inglis' 120 not out off 86. Earlier, Duckett became the first-ever batter in cricket history to reach the 150-run mark in a Champions Trophy match as England posted a huge total of 351 for 8 after getting an invitation to bat first. The southpaw also surpassed Nathan Astle and Andy Flower, who previously held the record of highest individual score at the ICC event with the tally of 145. With the win over England, Australia also registeted the highest run chase in ICC men event's history. (SCORECARD)

Australia XI: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis.

England XI: Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

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"Not Coming Here": Sanjana Ganesan's Chat With BAN Star Over Bumrah Viral

A funny interaction between cricket presenter Sanjana Ganesan and Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz is going viral on social media. During the chat, the duo talked about India's right-arm pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is also the husband of Sanjana.  "He is very different bowler and very dangerous," said Mehidy in the video. To this, the presenter replied, "He is not coming here." Then Mehidy said, "Yeah, I know. We are very happy." The Bangladesh star then asked about how Bumrah was doing. "He is okay. He is training at the NCA," said Sanjana.

Notably, Bumrah is not a part of India's squad for the ongoing Champions Trophy due to a back injury he suffered during the fifth and final Test in Australia in January this year.

That OOF for bumrah . pic.twitter.com/CLg7jlTyQD

— onlyy rndom thngss (@sahilmemon23) February 19, 2025

India talisman pacer Bumrah had recently shared a picture of him hitting the gym after being ruled out of the ICC event. Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had released a statement to confirm Bumrah's absence from the tournament.

"Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The Men's Selection Committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah's replacement," BCCI had stated.

In his recent post, Bumrah had taken to Instagram and shared a picture from inside a gym. "Rebuilding" was the caption of the post.

https://ift.tt/0snFGCy

Bumrah has been missing from on-field action since January. His last appearance was in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Sydney.

After bowling 10.1 overs in the first innings, the A-Lister was visibly in discomfort and went for scans. He was advised by the Australian doctors not to participate in the remainder of the Sydney Test. He came out to bat in the second innings but didn't take up his duties with the ball.

Talking about Champions Trophy 2025, the eight-team tournament is featuring 15 matches and will be played across Pakistan and Dubai. The ICC Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9 is being hosted by Pakistan and UAE, with India playing its matches in Dubai under a hybrid model.

The biggest match of the ICC tournament between two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, will be played on February 23. India will started their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. India's last league match will be against New Zealand on March 2.

India's squad for ICC Champions Trophy, 2025: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Non Travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube. The three players will travel to Dubai as and when required.

(With ANI Inputs)

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Sonia Gandhi Admitted To Hospital, Likely To Be Discharged Tomorrow: Report

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi on Thursday.

She is doing fine and is likely to be discharged on Friday, sources said.

Ms Gandhi had turned 78 in December.

While the exact time of admission could not be immediately known, a source said, she was admitted on Thursday morning.

She is under observation of a team of doctors, the source said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Online Challenge Gone Wrong? Brazilian Boy Injects Butterfly Remains, Dies

A 14-year-old Brazilian boy died after he allegedly injected himself with butterfly remains. The Bahia police are currently investigating the case and its possible links with an online challenge. According to reports, Davi Nunes Moreira began vomiting and developed a limp before being taken to a hospital in Planalto.

Initially, he did not disclose the cause and instead told his father that he hurt himself while playing. As his condition worsened, he eventually confessed that he had injected butterfly remains in his right leg, The New York Post reported.

He was transferred to another hospital in Vitoria da Conquista, the third-largest city in the state of Bahia but succumbed to his injuries.

Mr Moreira's father discovered the syringe his son had used hidden under the boy's pillow.

The type of butterfly the teenager inserted into his body has not been identified by officials. It is said that the milkweed, which monarch butterflies feed on as caterpillars, contains a poisonous toxin.

Marcelo Duarte, a butterfly specialist and the director of Sao Paulo University's Zoology Museum, said, "Butterflies have a complex biology, and the fluids present in their bodies have not been studied in depth in terms of their toxicity to humans."

His death is suspected to be caused by toxins in the butterfly remains, leading to septic shock.

A spokesman for the Civil Police in Vitoria da Conquista, leading the investigation into Mr Moreira's case, said the autopsy results would provide clarity on the cause of death.

This was not the first time a viral challenge went wrong. In a similar incident last year, social media influencer Thammy MC, who has 2 million followers, suffered first- and second-degree burns after participating in a viral ice challenge.

The challenge involved submerging her feet in a mixture of ice and coarse salt for 15 minutes. She experienced excruciating pain upon removing her feet from the ice. Doctors later informed her that prolonged exposure could have led to thrombosis or even necrosis (tissue death).

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How A Far-Right Leader Is Surging Ahead In France - And Her Link To Trump

Europe's far-right is rising at an unprecedented pace. With Italy already in the bag and Germany seemingly there as the country votes this Sunday, France is not to be left behind. While Marine Le Pen may still be the most dominant figure of the French far-right, another young woman is fast gaining ground.

Sarah Knafo, a prominent leader of France's far-right nationalist party Reconquest, gained prominence after she and her party chief Eric Zemmour were given invites to the Trump inauguration in January.

Known for her admiration of Donald Trump's electoral campaign and his resurgence in the US and her strong support for Elon Musk's outlook towards Europe, Ms Knafo, 31, is fast emerging as the most popular of leaders in France's far-right factions.

Not to be left behind, Marine Le Pen, 56, also sent three members from her party - National Rally (RN) - for the Trump inauguration. She, however, chose not to attend personally. The last time she was to meet Donald Trump, in 2017, she was famously stood up by the President when she visited him at the Trump Tower in New York.

But during the Trump inauguration this year, Sarah Knafo was not just seen at the US Capitol for his oath ceremony, but also seen getting an invite to the Capital One Arena as well as the Liberty Ball in Washington DC that evening. She attended both with her party's topmost leader Eric Zemmour.

Their party Reconquest has very strong anti-Islam views, including a complete nationwide ban on the name Mohammad, along with several stringent laws proposed to "deal effectively" with the spread of Islam in France.

As Sarah Knafo now rises from the shadow of 66-year-old Zemmour, she looks to blend Donald Trump and Elon Musk's approach to appeal to voters in France. While far-right frontrunner Le Pen, who is touted by her party to be France's next President in 2027, has been wary of her proximity to Trump and Musk as they are widely disliked across Europe, Sarah Knafo has openly embraced her closeness to the US leaders as she aims to be the driving force of her party.

Unlike Le Pen, who does not want to risk the hard-fought gains she has made across France, Knafo's party which got 7 per cent of the vote share in the previous French presidential election, has an entirely different approach.

In an interview to news agency Reuters, Sarah Knafo said "Reconquest is the only party in France that defends this mix: pro-tech, pro-business, but also the defence of national identity." Known for her pro-capitalist mindset, she believes that being pro-business and pro-tech is the only way to salvage a socialist country like France from not being left behind.

Like Trump, Knafo's party has also proposed mass deportations of migrants in order to "preserve French identity". She has decided to align her party with the new political order across the Atlantic. While she acknowledges that Trump's techno-conservatism is a hard-sell in France - predominantly a Welfare State, she is confident that Trump would back her over Le Pen if the need arises.

While Le Pen's party, known for its racist and anti-Semetic elements, has worked on the strategy to "de-demonise" the party to gain ground, Ms Knafo believes that "The de-demonisation aspect is the opposite of what Trump advocates". "He (Trump) does not have much respect for it," she added.

Le Pen also has plans to deport migrants should her party win the presidential election in France. She said her party was "the best placed in France to speak with the Donald Trump administration" regarding the issue. She gave the example of how US was pressuring Colombia to receive deported migrants - an approach she wants to emulate in France, should she become President in 2027.

Sarah Knafo studied at France's prestigious ENA administrative college - the same college where President Emmanuel Macron graduated. She is adept to technology and fintech, and is known as a crypto-aficionado.

Knafo's proximity to Donald Trump and Elon Musk grew after her speech in Brussels was spotted by Jacob Helberg, a Paris-born tech executive who Trump has nominated to be the State Department's top economist. He recently invited her to the US for the Miami memorial of Hamas' October 7 terror attack on Israel. There she had a meeting with Trump just before the US went to vote last year.

Her second meeting with President Trump was after his inauguration. While in the US, she also met crypto billionaire Michael Saylor. She said that the two of them discussed "the upcoming French elections".

Ms Knafo also recalled how Trump reached out to her party chief Eric Zemmour in 2022 over his stand on Islam and migration. "Don't give up," Knafo recalled Trump telling Zemmour in a widely reported 2022 call. "Now you're visible, all the media will be against you. They'll say you're too brutal, too radical. Don't listen to them. Don't talk to the media. Talk directly to the people."

(Inputs from Reuters)
 

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"Reports Exaggerated": Bangladesh Border Force Downplays Attacks On Minorities

The Chief of Bangladesh's border guarding force on Thursday appeared to downplay the attacks on minorities in his country that took place after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, saying such reports were "exaggerated".

"Such attacks did not happen. In fact, the Hindus in Bangladesh celebrated Durga puja. The law enforcing agencies have been tasked to ensure the safety of minorities. The clashes were related to politics," said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) director general Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui.

A recent report of the UN Human Rights Office had said that "widespread attacks were reported against Hindu homes, businesses, and places of worship, especially in rural and historically tense areas such as Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, and Dinajpur, as well as other places such as Sylhet, Khulna, and Rangpur" following the fall of the Hasina government last year.

The report said this destruction was especially prevalent in areas perceived to be sympathetic to the Awami League as Hindus have often been stereotypically associated with this political faction.

BGB DG also said "many new issues" under the common heads were discussed during his high-level talks with an Indian delegation headed by BSF DG Daljit Singh Chawdhary in New Delhi.

This was the first high-level meeting of the two forces after the regime change in Bangladesh in August last year.

BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary said the objection to border fencing by BGB was discussed. "The India-Bangladesh border is dynamic. Different kinds of issues keep arising. However, our local officers always try to solve them,"  BSF Director General said.

Bangladesh has been persistently opposing the construction of a single-row fence within 150 km of the border pillar at Sabdalpur village in the Malda district of West Bengal.

BGB DG said such construction should be "justified". "There should be negotiation before constructing anything within 150 yards from the international border. And such construction should have been properly justified. Here, mutual consultation is very much necessary to construct anything within 150 yards from the zero line," he said.

"Constructions can take place if there is no objection from the other side," the BGB chief said.

However, both sides have agreed to conduct survey and only after that construction work within 150 yards of International Border would be done.

"We have requested for joint inspection wherever there are issues," he said.

Both sides agreed to ensure stability of their borders, with both sides agreeing to follow non-lethal policy.

"We took up the point of attack on Indian nationals and BSF personnel on the International Border by BGB. At times, taking advantage of the night cover, some miscreants try to breach the fence and enter our territory. Though we very strictly adhere to protocol of not using unnecessary lethal force but, in self-defence, as the last resort, we exercise that power with full restraint. During this meeting, we urged BGB to ensure the border remains secure so that such incidents do not happen," BSF DG Daljit Chaudhary told reporters.

The main focus of discussions was also Indian Insurgent groups operating in Bangladesh.

"Location of camps and movement of armed miscreants inside India was also on agenda," said an official, adding that both sides agreed to undertake combined efforts and increase number of coordinated patrols especially during late hours of nights to early morning in vulnerable areas, along with educating border population regarding the sanctity of the International Border.

DG BGB Siddiqui said there was no discussion on reworking the India-Bangladesh border treaty which was agreed upon in 1975."This was not in purview of this meeting," he said.

The two forces also agreed to hold the next DG-level conference in Dhaka next year.

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"No One Is Excluding Ukraine": Putin Tells Zelensky Not To Be "Hysterical"

Vladimir Putin has reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Kyiv will most definitely be included in negotiations that will aim to end the three-year war in Ukraine. Speaking for the first time since the crucial Russia-US meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, President Putin described it as in important step towards finding a solution to the conflict.

Success, he said, would depend a great degree on raising the level of trust between Moscow and Washington - which he described as "below zero" due to the Biden administration. "In my opinion, we have taken a first step to resume work in a variety of areas that are of mutual interest," Putin said about the meeting of Russian and US diplomats.

"Without increasing the level of trust between Russia and the United States, it is impossible to resolve many issues, including the Ukrainian crisis," he added.

Ukraine and the European Union has raised concerns about not being included in the talks between Russia and US, fearing an agreement between Moscow and Washington might ignore their vital security concerns. On this Mr Putin said Moscow has never rejected talks with either Kyiv or Europe - instead, it is them who have refused to speak with Moscow.

Reassuring Ukraine that Kyiv will not be left out of negotiations, President Putin said "If they (Ukraine) want, please, let these negotiations take place. And we will be ready to return to the table for negotiations."

"There is not need for a hysterical reaction. No one is excluding Ukraine," he added.

Praising Donald Trump, the Russian President said he appreciated his "restraint" amid "boorish behaviour" by US allies. He went on to say that he would be "happy to meet with Donald (Trump), but we are in such a situation that it is not enough to meet just to have tea or coffee, sit and talk about the future. We need to ensure that our teams prepare issues that are extremely important for both the United States and Russia, including - but not only - on the Ukrainian track, in order to reach solutions acceptable to both sides."

Speaking about Tuesday's meeting, to which he was not invited, President Zelensky said "Kyiv cannot recognise any agreements or things discussed about us without us." European leaders also met in Paris hours before the Russia-US meeting to discuss Washington's massive policy shift towards Moscow.

(Inputs from Reuters)
 

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"Lots Of Fun": Kate Middleton Shares Hand-Drawn Portraits By Her Children

The Princess of Wales and her children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis - unveiled a collection of four portraits they created of one another on Monday. This was the first time a drawing by Kate Middleton of one of her children, specifically Prince Louis, was publicly revealed.

The portraits were created as part of a special bonding moment, aimed to "spend time looking at and focusing on one another" while being creative, the royals said in a post on X. The release of the pictures aligns with the Princess's ongoing support for the Shaping Us initiative from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which points out the significance of creative play in child development.

Drawing portraits with children can provide a moment of connection as you spend time looking at and focusing on one another, as well as being creative and – most importantly – having lots of fun together!

????: Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and The Princess of… pic.twitter.com/lvbQXkgDdz

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 17, 2025

The four portraits were shared without revealing the artist or subject, but an intricate depiction of a sleeping Prince Louis is believed to be Kate's work.

Kate Middleton, with a background in A-level art and history of art from St Andrews University, has always had a passion for the arts. Her children have also displayed their creativity, with Prince Louis recently capturing a photograph of his mother on a chilly day.

It is thought that Prince George drew the portrait of Kate seated in an armchair, while Princess Charlotte's colourful portrait of her mother, featuring long hair, is likely hers. The bold red portrait by Prince Louis could either be his mother's or sister's.

As a message shared on Instagram read, "These skills are key throughout our lives, shaping who we are, how we manage our thoughts and emotions, how we communicate with and relate to others, and how we explore the world around us."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)

The royals' art activity supports the goals of the Shaping Us Framework, which focuses on developing social and emotional skills in early childhood.

The artwork comes after the Princess's recent visit to the National Portrait Gallery, where she joined a group of five-year-olds on an exhibition tour, encouraging them to portray themselves and explore their emotions.

Liz Smith, director of learning and engagement at the gallery, praised the Princess for her nurturing approach during the visit. "She was one of the school party," Ms Smith told People magazine, "and there was no official presentation. It was as if she was one of the mums, one of the helpers."

Kate Middleton continues her public work after recently sharing her health journey. On January 14, she revealed that she was in remission after undergoing cancer treatment. The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to take some time away from the public eye this week as they enjoy a family vacation during their children's school break.

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Last Chance To Watch Planetary Parade Until 2040: Check Details

The so-called planetary parade which started last month is heading towards its grand finale. For a brief moment on February 28, all planets in our solar system will appear in the night sky - a celestial phenomenon that scientists have described as rare.

After Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune aligned in the night sky between January 21 and 29, it will be the last time until 2040 that all seven planets, including Mercury, will align to create a spectacular night sky.

What is planetary alignment?

Astronomers use planetary alignment to describe the phenomenon when planets gather closely on one side of the Sun at the same time. Any number of planets, ranging from three to eight constitutes an alignment. Five or six planets showing up together is known as a large alignment, with five-planet alignments significantly more frequent than six. However, seven-planet alignments are the rarest of all.

Unlike diagrams and illustrations, the planets will not be visible in a queue. Planets orbit the Sun in different orbits in three-dimensional space which makes it almost impossible for them to come together in a straight line.

"While it's true that they [planets] will appear more or less along a line across the sky, that's what planets always do. That line is called the ecliptic, and it represents the plane of the solar system in which the planets orbit around the Sun," NASA explains.

"This is, incidentally, why we sometimes observe planets appearing to approach closely to each other on the sky, as we view them along a line while they careen around the cosmic racetrack."

Also Read | Planetary Parade 2025: How And Where To See This Rare Celestial Event In India

How to view the planetary parade?

To witness the parade of planets, get far away from city lights to an open area or hill. If the weather is clear, you will be able to see most planets to the naked eye, bar Neptune and Uranus. A telescope might help you witness these two planets.

Notably, Mars will appear in the east, Jupiter and Uranus in the southeast, and Venus, Neptune, and Saturn in the west. While January was special due to the Quadrantid meteor shower and the partial planetary parade, February has the ingredients to be even more special, owing to the rare alignment.

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"Turbans Thrown In Dustbin": Sikh Deportee Narrates US Detention Camp Horror

Davinder Singh, a 21-year-old from Punjab's Hoshiarpur district, recounts his harrowing experience at a US detention center after being detained for crossing the US border illegally. Singh was part of the second batch of 116 Indian immigrants deported back to India in a military aircraft. He describes the detention center as a place where basic human rights were disregarded, with extremely low temperatures, "wafer-thin blankets", and no proper food.

Singh's journey to the US was a perilous one, spanning several countries, including Amsterdam, Suriname, Guatemala, and the Panama forest. He eventually crossed the US border on January 27 but was detained by the US Border Patrol. Singh spent 18 days in detention, where he witnessed US officials disrespecting Sikh immigrants by throwing their turbans into the dustbin. "It was very painful watching turbans being thrown into a dustbin," Davinder told PTI.

The conditions at the detention center were inhumane, with Singh and other immigrants being kept in a hall with inadequate clothing and blankets to withstand the freezing temperatures. "When we would tell them we were feeling cold, they wouldn't bother at all," he said.

The food provided was also insufficient, with Singh receiving a small packet of chips and juice five times a day, along with half-baked bread, half-baked rice, sweet corn, and cucumber. There was beef, but as a vegetarian, Davinder did not have any. He stayed for 18 days at the detention centre and they wore the same clothes all those days.

"It was mentally traumatic to stay in the detention centre", he said.

Singh's story highlights the traumatic experiences of immigrants in US detention centers. His family spent a significant amount, Rs 40 lakh, to send him to the US, only for him to be deported. Singh now plans to join his father's electronic goods repair shop in Tanda, Hoshiarpur. 

Amid Trump's crackdown against illegal immigrants, three batches of deportees have been brought back from the US to India.
 

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Clips Of Women's Check-Up At Hospital Shared On YouTube, Probe Ordered

After horror stories from changing rooms in hotels and malls with hidden cameras, several videos of women being examined at a maternity hospital in Gujarat have been uploaded to YouTube and Telegram channels, putting a question mark on the security of women at an institution widely considered to be safe.

The CCTV clips - showing nursing staff administering injections to women patients - from Rajkot's Payal Maternity Home were widely shared online and eventually came to the notice of Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police.

When the hospital's director was questioned, he claimed that the CCTV server was hacked.

"I don't know how the hospital videos went viral. Our CCTV server seems to have been hacked. However, we are also unaware of why this happened and will inform the police. We will also lodge a complaint and cooperate with the police in investigating all the issues," Dr Amit Akbari, who works at the hospital, said.

A case has also been filed by the Rajkot Cyber Crime Police. The team has been interrogating the entire hospital staff, including doctors.

"The content of the videos is being investigated. We are investigating who took these videos and for what purpose. We will file a case under sections 66E, 67 of the Cyber Crime IT Act," police said.

- With inputs from Mahendra Prasad.

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Opinion: India Is Positioned To Lead New World Order Under PM Modi

"Mr Prime Minister, you are great." These words from US President Donald Trump after his February meeting with Prime Minister Modi not only reflect their strong rapport but also highlight PM Modi's rising global stature. As India and the US navigate complex trade and tariff challenges, Prime Minister Modi has consistently demonstrated an unmatched ability to secure favourable deals while strengthening diplomatic ties, cementing his status as one of the world's most formidable leaders.

Economic And Strategic Breakthroughs

Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, India has strategically repositioned itself on the global stage by advancing key economic and strategic priorities. His diplomacy has propelled India into a position of strategic importance, aggressively pursuing bilateral trade agreements and reducing reliance on any single market. With India's GDP surpassing $4 trillion in 2024 - securing its place as the world's fifth-largest economy - the government is now aiming to double foreign trade to $2 trillion by 2030. This momentum is further bolstered by record foreign direct investment, which reached $85 billion in 2024, a testament to the success of initiatives like 'Make in India' and the country's expanding infrastructure.

Recent developments reinforce this trajectory. During his recent visit to the US, Prime Minister Modi engaged in high-level talks that led to concrete measures for resolving trade and tariff disputes. India's commitment to increasing US oil and gas imports by $10 billion strengthens a growing energy partnership, with bilateral trade expected to reach $500 billion by 2030.

Strengthening Defence and Technological Dominance

Beyond economic policy, Prime Minister Modi has been instrumental in reshaping India's defence and security strategy. With defence spending surging to $81.4 billion in 2024, India is aggressively modernising its forces and deepening strategic alliances. Key defence agreements with the US include advanced negotiations for procuring F-35 fighter jets and a ten-year defence cooperation pact - moves that solidify India's military capabilities and reinforce its push for self-reliance.

Recognising the transformative power of technology, Prime Minister Modi has also positioned India as a global tech powerhouse. Strategic investments in AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure aim to expand India's digital economy to $1 trillion by 2030. A major semiconductor deal with the US marks a crucial step in reducing India's reliance on China, strengthening its technological self-sufficiency.

Turning Tariffs Into An Opportunity

While US tariffs on Indian products might seem like a setback, they could drive long-term benefits by accelerating domestic innovation and strengthening India's industrial base. Importantly, President Trump has made it clear that these tariffs are part of a broader global strategy and not a punitive measure against India. With reduced access to the US market, Indian industries are being pushed to upgrade technology, improve product quality, and streamline production to remain competitive globally. This challenge could catalyse structural reforms and accelerate investment in local manufacturing, ultimately enhancing India's resilience and long-term economic growth.

Modi's Masterclass In Diplomacy: A "MEGA" Partnership

Experts widely acknowledge Modi's diplomatic acumen. Top American analysts Ashley J Tellis and Lisa Curtis, who have served in the US administration, lauded Prime Minister Modi for "succeeding magnificently" in his negotiations with President Trump, despite the backdrop of reciprocal tariffs. Tellis noted that Modi's visit within Trump's first month in office was a strategic move to cement India as a key US ally - and he achieved it on all fronts.

The visit, dubbed "Modi Makes Magic", showcased the Prime Minister's ability to navigate Trump's hardline stance on trade and security. "Disarming a personality like Trump is not easy, yet Modi managed to do just that," Tellis observed. He further emphasised that the joint statement reflected Trump's recognition of India as a trusted partner across multiple domains.

This bond was further exemplified in Modi's signature style - through a play on Trump's "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) slogan. Modi coined the term "MIGA" (Make India Great Again) and emphasised that when the US and India collaborate, MAGA + MIGA creates a 'MEGA' partnership for prosperity.

A Leader Who Delivers On The Global Stage

Prime Minister Modi's recent diplomatic engagements showcase a leader who not only masters negotiation but strategically uses it to elevate India's global standing. His ability to forge critical economic, defence, and technological partnerships underscores a vision that few can rival.

Even President Trump acknowledged Modi's negotiating prowess, stating, "He is a much tougher negotiator than me. He is a better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong diplomatic push also led to a major breakthrough in India's fight against terrorism. PM Modi secured a commitment to eliminate terrorist safe havens globally - a key highlight of the India-US joint statement.

As a result of Modi's assertive stance, Trump has officially approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a prime accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. This marks a major diplomatic victory for India in ensuring that terrorists face justice. Trump also hinted at more extraditions in the future, reinforcing Modi's relentless pursuit to bring those responsible for attacks on India to account.

As the MEGA partnership between India and the US unfolds, it is clear that Modi is not just shaping the present - he is securing India's future as a global powerhouse.

Navigating Global Oil Market Prices

As global energy markets faced unprecedented challenges due to the Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent Western sanctions on Russian oil, most countries struggled with skyrocketing fuel prices and supply disruptions. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India defied the odds and emerged as a strategic player in global oil diplomacy.

By adopting a pragmatic and national-interest-first approach, PM Modi's government skillfully secured discounted Russian crude, diversified energy sources, and maintained strong global partnerships - all while resisting Western pressure.

India's Global Leap Under PM Modi: Strategic Benefits From Russia And Beyond

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed a strategic recalibration of its international partnerships, leveraging relationships with nations like Russia, the United States, and key global players to boost its economic, defence, and technological prowess.

Strengthened Ties with Russia

India's longstanding relationship with Russia has deepened, particularly in the defence and energy sectors. Continued arms deals, such as the procurement of advanced missile systems, have enhanced national security. Moreover, collaborations in nuclear energy and space exploration have opened new avenues for technological exchange and innovation.

Broadening Alliances with Western Powers

Simultaneously, India has fortified its ties with the United States, resulting in landmark defence agreements and technology transfers. Initiatives under frameworks like COMCASA and BECA have not only improved military capabilities but also spurred advancements in digital infrastructure and innovation, reflecting a balanced approach in its global strategy.

(The author is National Spokesperson, Bharatiya Janata Party)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

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Assam Orders Probe Against Pak National "Linked" To Congress MP's Wife

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday ordered the registration of a case against a Pakistani national, who is believed to have links with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's wife, for "trying to interfere in domestic matters" of the state and the country. 

Mr Sarma also said that Elizabeth Colburn, Mr Gogoi's wife, will also be probed over her alleged links with Pakistan and its intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Besides, she will also be investigated over her alleged participation in the Lok Sabha election campaigns despite being a British citizen.

The erstwhile Kaliabor constituency was won by Mr Gogoi twice, from 2014 till 2024. 

The developments that took place during a cabinet meeting came a day after Mr Gogoi threatened to approach court over Mr Sarma and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s accusations against his wife. 

There was no immediate reaction from the Congress leader on Mr Sarma's latest comment but earlier in the day, he said he does not want to get involved in "dirty and baseless" politics. He had also rejected the charges as "laughable and entertaining" in the past.

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Mr Sarma said: "Multiple news reports, social media posts and other information in the public domain have surfaced regarding certain comments made by a Pakistan national, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, aimed at disrupting communal harmony in Assam. Given the broader national security implications of this issue, particularly in Assam, the state cabinet has directed the DGP to register a case against Sheikh under appropriate provisions of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) and other relevant laws." 

The Chief Minister also alleged that an assessment of Mr Sheikh's social media activity and information available in the public domain shows he has been in contact with Ms Colburn.

"Apart from his engagements with Government of Pakistan, Ali Sheikh has also founded LEAD Pakistan, a non-profit organisation working in the field of climate change. Elizabeth Gogoi was an integral part of LEAD Pakistan during her time spent in Islamabad. Both Sheikh and Elizabeth Gogoi have been a part of global climate action group called the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) which operates in both India and Pakistan," he said. 

In light of these facts and given the historical attempts of Pakistani state and non-state actors to destabilise Assam, the state government took Mr Sheikh's attempts to interfere in the domestic matters of the state and India with utmost seriousness, he added. 

A controversy erupted on February 12 when BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Ms Colburn shared ties with the ISI while she worked with the Climate and Knowledge Development Network in Islamabad under Mr Sheikh, a former advisor to the Planning Commission of Pakistan.

Mr Sarma, without naming Mr Gogoi, also raised similar accusations the same day, prompting a sharp retort from the Congress leader. He counter attacked with a movie reference. "If Salman Khan's wife can be an ISI agent like in 'Tiger Zinda Hai', then I must be a RAW agent too," Mr Gogoi said. 

On Saturday, Mr Sarma said a police case is likely to be registered and a Special Investigation Team be constituted to probe into the allegations against the opposition leader's wife.

The Chief Minister alleged that after Ms Colburn married Mr Gogoi, Mr Sheikh must have gained access to the Chief Minister's Office. 

He also alleged that Mr Gogoi's visit to the Pakistan embassy has been confirmed. "In the Lok Sabha, the MP asked questions on nuclear radars, uranium mines in Meghalaya and other such sensitive matters. What was the need to know such things by an Assam MP? I hope he and his wife will cooperate in the probe, otherwise they will be summoned," he said. 

Mr Sarma also alleged that Ms Colburn campaigned for her husband prior to two Lok Sabha elections in Kaliabor constituency.

"How could a British national take part in Indian elections? She was directly involved with the election process and we can see old TV clippings. That means she violated visa norms. If so, the Indian government should examine it and revoke her visa," he said.

The Chief Minister said when he meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah the next time, he will discuss how the state government's proactiveness can be synergised with central agencies.

It looks like Mr Gogoi is just an actor, and not the director, in the entire system, Mr Sarma said. "Maybe, he is trapped unintentionally. So, we will examine the matter with a sympathetic outlook. We don't want to accuse him at this moment," he said. 

"The way London, America and Islamabad are involved, he may be blackmailed also, who knows about it? Therefore, the entire subject requires serious deep investigation," he added.

Mr Sarma said he will submit "all documents" to state Congress President Bhupen Borah, so that they can verify the facts themselves. "Perhaps, the Congress is unaware of the full picture," he said. 

"When the case is investigated, I will write a letter to Borah to inform him about the background and the reasons behind our decision to pursue the matter. The letter I will give to the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Home Minister (Amit Shah) will also be given to INC chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Borah. This is a matter of national security," he said. 

Earlier in the day, Mr Gogoi said that instead of getting involved in "dirty and baseless" politics, the Congress is working on how to give a new economy, social order, education and health policy to Assam. "I have no objection to that if he (Mr Sarma) wants to spend the next 12 months like this only. I am grateful for that," the Congress leader said.

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Assam Orders Probe Against Pak National "Linked" To Congress MP's Wife

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday ordered the registration of a case against a Pakistani national, who is believed to have links with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's wife, for "trying to interfere in domestic matters" of the state and the country. 

Mr Sarma also said that Elizabeth Colburn, Mr Gogoi's wife, will also be probed over her alleged links with Pakistan and its intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Besides, she will also be investigated over her alleged participation in the Lok Sabha election campaigns despite being a British citizen.

The erstwhile Kaliabor constituency was won by Mr Gogoi twice, from 2014 till 2024. 

The developments that took place during a cabinet meeting came a day after Mr Gogoi threatened to approach court over Mr Sarma and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s accusations against his wife. 

There was no immediate reaction from the Congress leader on Mr Sarma's latest comment but earlier in the day, he said he does not want to get involved in "dirty and baseless" politics. He had also rejected the charges as "laughable and entertaining" in the past.

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Mr Sarma said: "Multiple news reports, social media posts and other information in the public domain have surfaced regarding certain comments made by a Pakistan national, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, aimed at disrupting communal harmony in Assam. Given the broader national security implications of this issue, particularly in Assam, the state cabinet has directed the DGP to register a case against Sheikh under appropriate provisions of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) and other relevant laws." 

The Chief Minister also alleged that an assessment of Mr Sheikh's social media activity and information available in the public domain shows he has been in contact with Ms Colburn.

"Apart from his engagements with Government of Pakistan, Ali Sheikh has also founded LEAD Pakistan, a non-profit organisation working in the field of climate change. Elizabeth Gogoi was an integral part of LEAD Pakistan during her time spent in Islamabad. Both Sheikh and Elizabeth Gogoi have been a part of global climate action group called the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) which operates in both India and Pakistan," he said. 

In light of these facts and given the historical attempts of Pakistani state and non-state actors to destabilise Assam, the state government took Mr Sheikh's attempts to interfere in the domestic matters of the state and India with utmost seriousness, he added. 

A controversy erupted on February 12 when BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Ms Colburn shared ties with the ISI while she worked with the Climate and Knowledge Development Network in Islamabad under Mr Sheikh, a former advisor to the Planning Commission of Pakistan.

Mr Sarma, without naming Mr Gogoi, also raised similar accusations the same day, prompting a sharp retort from the Congress leader. He counter attacked with a movie reference. "If Salman Khan's wife can be an ISI agent like in 'Tiger Zinda Hai', then I must be a RAW agent too," Mr Gogoi said. 

On Saturday, Mr Sarma said a police case is likely to be registered and a Special Investigation Team be constituted to probe into the allegations against the opposition leader's wife.

The Chief Minister alleged that after Ms Colburn married Mr Gogoi, Mr Sheikh must have gained access to the Chief Minister's Office. 

He also alleged that Mr Gogoi's visit to the Pakistan embassy has been confirmed. "In the Lok Sabha, the MP asked questions on nuclear radars, uranium mines in Meghalaya and other such sensitive matters. What was the need to know such things by an Assam MP? I hope he and his wife will cooperate in the probe, otherwise they will be summoned," he said. 

Mr Sarma also alleged that Ms Colburn campaigned for her husband prior to two Lok Sabha elections in Kaliabor constituency.

"How could a British national take part in Indian elections? She was directly involved with the election process and we can see old TV clippings. That means she violated visa norms. If so, the Indian government should examine it and revoke her visa," he said.

The Chief Minister said when he meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah the next time, he will discuss how the state government's proactiveness can be synergised with central agencies.

It looks like Mr Gogoi is just an actor, and not the director, in the entire system, Mr Sarma said. "Maybe, he is trapped unintentionally. So, we will examine the matter with a sympathetic outlook. We don't want to accuse him at this moment," he said. 

"The way London, America and Islamabad are involved, he may be blackmailed also, who knows about it? Therefore, the entire subject requires serious deep investigation," he added.

Mr Sarma said he will submit "all documents" to state Congress President Bhupen Borah, so that they can verify the facts themselves. "Perhaps, the Congress is unaware of the full picture," he said. 

"When the case is investigated, I will write a letter to Borah to inform him about the background and the reasons behind our decision to pursue the matter. The letter I will give to the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Home Minister (Amit Shah) will also be given to INC chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Borah. This is a matter of national security," he said. 

Earlier in the day, Mr Gogoi said that instead of getting involved in "dirty and baseless" politics, the Congress is working on how to give a new economy, social order, education and health policy to Assam. "I have no objection to that if he (Mr Sarma) wants to spend the next 12 months like this only. I am grateful for that," the Congress leader said.

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Top Sikh Body Condemns US For Not Allowing Some Deportees To Wear Turban

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on Sunday strongly condemned US authorities for allegedly not allowing Sikh deportees, who were part of the second batch of illegal Indian immigrants brought from America, to wear their turbans.

The SGPC statement came after some visuals appeared on social media showing Sikh deportees without turbans while completing their immigration formalities at the Amritsar airport.

A US military aircraft carrying 116 illegal Indian immigrants landed at the Amritsar airport late Saturday night, with one deportee claiming they were handcuffed with their legs chained during the journey. The fresh batch of deportees included 65 immigrants from Punjab, 33 from Haryana and eight from Gujarat.

SGPC officials, who were deputed for providing 'langar' and bus service for deportees on Saturday night at the airport, provided 'dastar' (turban) to Sikh deportees.

One of the Sikh deportees also claimed that when they landed at the Amritsar airport, they were not wearing turbans. He said that when they entered the US illegally, they were asked to remove their turbans.

SGPC general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal condemned the US authorities for allegedly not allowing them to wear their turbans.

It is a matter of regret that deportees were brought in shackles and Sikh deportees were not wearing turbans, he said.

Grewal said the SGPC will soon raise the issue with the US authorities. "Turban is the part of a Sikh," he said.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia too condemned the US authorities for allegedly sending Sikh deportees without turbans.

He also urged the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately take up the matter with the US authorities so that such an incident is never repeated in future. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Delhi Railway Station Chaos Update: 15 Dead, Railway Orders Probe

At least 15 people were killed and several were injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday, caused by a sudden rush of passengers who tried to board trains for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. 

In a statement, the Ministry of Railways said a high level inquiry has been ordered on the "unfortunate incident". 

According to sources, the injured were rushed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain (LNJP) Hospital for treatment. 

Deputy commissioner of police (railway) said many people were present on platform number 14 when the Prayagraj Express train was standing at the platform. The Swantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express were delayed and the passengers of these trains were also present on platform numbers 12, 13 and 14, the official said in a statement. 

Eyewitnesses said due to a huge rush at the station, several passengers fainted due to suffocation.  

HERE ARE THE NEW DELHI RAILWAY STATION STAMPEDE LIVE UPDATES:

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US Plane Carrying 2nd Batch Of 119 Indian Immigrants Lands In Amritsar

A plane carrying 119 Indians arrived from the United States at Punjab's Amritsar airport on Saturday, the second such arrival in a span of 10 days, as part of the Donald Trump administration's crackdown and decision to deport illegal immigrants.

The first round of deportation had taken place on February 5, when a US military plane transported 104 Indians to Amritsar. A third plane with 157 deportees is expected to land in India on Sunday. 

The C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the US Air Force landed at the Amritsar International Airport close to 11:40 pm on Saturday. 

Of the total deportees, 67 are from Punjab, 33 are from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The families of some of them reached the airport to receive them.

Earlier, those deported were from Haryana (33), Gujarat (33), Punjab (30), Maharashtra (3) Uttar Pradesh (3), and Chandigarh (2). They were sent back on the same military aircraft that took off from San Antonio, Texas.

The deportees were shackled and restrained throughout the flight, only to be freed upon arrival in India - a move that triggered a political storm in India, and led to an uproar in both Houses of Parliament during the then ongoing Budget session.

Amid criticism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Centre is engaging with the US to ensure the deportees are not mistreated. He also said the US' deportation of illegal migrants is not a new development and has been going on for years. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in the US earlier this week, said India will take back any of its citizens living illegally in the US. He, however, emphasised that efforts need to be made to end human trafficking. 

"Our bigger fight is against that entire ecosystem, and we are confident that President Trump will fully cooperate with India in finishing this ecosystem," he said. 

In its defense, the US Embassy in India said "enforcing our nation's immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States". "It is the policy of the United States to faithfully execute the immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens," an embassy spokesperson said.

India is the third source of undocumented immigrants in the US after Mexico and El Salvador.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited the Amritsar airport earlier in the day and said his government has made arrangements to take the residents of Punjab from among the second batch of deportees to their hometowns.

The deportees who hail from other states will head to Delhi from Amritsar in a flight on Sunday morning and then they will be taken to their respective places, he said.

Mr Mann also attacked the Centre over the landing of the planes at the Amritsar airport and asked it not to make the holy city a "deport centre".

Most of the deportees belonging to Punjab earlier said they wanted to migrate to the US for a better life for their families. However, their dreams were shattered when they were caught on the US border and sent back in shackles.

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Court Orders Police To Probe Complaint Against Ekta Kapoor

A court here on Saturday directed the city police to conduct an inquiry into a criminal complaint filed against film and television producer Ekta Kapoor for allegedly disrespecting Indian soldiers in one of her web series.

A magistrate's court in Bandra called for a report from the police by May 9 on the complaint under section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Under this section, a magistrate can carry out an inquiry into a criminal complaint, or direct the police to do so.

The complaint was filed by YouTuber Vikas Pathak, also known as `Hindustani bhau'. Besides Ekta, it named her OTT platform Alt Balaji, and her parents Shobha and Jeetendra Kapoor.

As per the complaint filed through advocate Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh, a web series on Alt Balaji showed a military officer doing an "illicit sexual act".

"The accused have stooped to a cheap low and shamelessly targeted the dignity and pride of our country by depicting Indian Army military uniform in the illicit sexual act with national emblem on it," the complaint said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Mexico Threatens US With Legal Action If Cartels Declared Terror Group

Mexico's president on Friday warned US gunmakers they could face fresh legal action and be deemed accomplices if Washington designates Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.

"If they declare these criminal groups as terrorists, then we'll have to expand our US lawsuit," Claudia Sheinbaum said at a daily press conference.

A new charge could include alleged "complicity" of gunmakers with terror groups, she said.

Sheinbaum said the US Justice Department itself has recognized that "74 percent of the weapons" used by criminal groups in Mexico come from north of the border.

On Thursday, the New York Times reported that the US State Department plans to classify criminal groups from Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador and Venezuela as "terrorist organizations."

Mexico has already filed a lawsuit in the United States against US arms manufacturers and vendors, claiming $10 billion in damages for their alleged role in criminal violence in the country.

Earlier this month, Sheinbaum angrily rejected an accusation by the United States that her government has an alliance with drug cartels.

"We categorically reject the slander made by the White House against the Mexican government about alliances with criminal organizations," the president wrote on social platform X at the time.

"If there is such an alliance anywhere, it is in the US gun shops that sell high-powered weapons to these criminal groups," she added.

Tensions between the closely connected neighbors soared after the White House said Trump would slap tariffs of 25 percent on both Mexican and Canadian goods because of illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

The threatened tariffs have since been halted for 30 days.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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After Trump's Peace Talks Announcement, Zelensky Meets JD Vance In Munich

US Vice President JD Vance met Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky in Munich on Friday for crunch talks on ending Russia's war, as Kyiv insisted it wanted to hammer out a joint plan with Washington.

The sit-down in Germany was seen as a key moment for Kyiv as it seeks to keep Washington on its side after US President Donald Trump stunned allies by launching peace efforts with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

"I will meet with Russians -- with only one Russian guy, with Putin -- only after we will have a common plan with Trump, Europe," Zelensky told the Munich Security Conference before seeing Vance.

"Only in this case I'm ready to meet."

Vance in the run-up insisted the United States was prepared to pressure Russia to end its three-year war on Ukraine, as he said Europe should "of course" be at the table.

But the vice president also told Europe to "step up" on bolstering its own defence to allow Washington to focus on threats elsewhere in the world.

US officials have sent mixed messages over Washington's strategy after Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth appeared to rule out Ukraine joining NATO or retaking all of its territory.

That has sparked major worries in Kyiv and Europe that Ukraine could be forced into a bad deal that leaves the continent facing an emboldened Putin.

But Vance told the Wall Street Journal that Trump would put everything "on the table" in potential talks, and that Washington could even use "military leverage" against Russia to force a deal.

The vice president did not give more away in a keenly-awaited keynote speech, as he avoided addressing the war in Ukraine and focused instead on scolding Europe over immigration and free speech.

- Trump's phone number -

Trump rattled US allies on Wednesday by agreeing to launch peace talks in his first publicly announced call with Putin since returning to office.

After being named by Trump as a likely venue for a meeting with Putin, Saudi Arabia said it would welcome holding any talks between the two leaders.

Zelensky appeared to play down fears that Trump was leaving Kyiv out in the cold, as he joked the US president had given him his personal number when they spoke.

"If he will choose our side, and if he will not be in the middle, I think he will pressure and he will push Putin to stop the war," Zelensky said.

In a bid to keep Washington close Kyiv has held talks over granting access to its rare mineral deposits in return for future US security support.

- Chernobyl strike -

European allies -- who along with Washington are Ukraine's strongest backers -- demanded that they too be included in negotiations that will impact their continent's security.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned that forcing Ukraine into a bad deal would harm US interests.

"I believe that by working together, we can deliver that just and lasting peace," she said.

While Europe nervously monitors the US stance on Ukraine, there is little ambiguity on Trump's determination to get Europe to spend more on its defence.

Fears Vance could announce a major US troop reduction in Europe did not materialise, but he repeated warnings that Washington needs to focus more on other parts of the globe.

Amid the diplomatic flurry in Munich, Zelensky said that back on the ground in Ukraine a Russian drone had struck a cover built to contain radiation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, adding that radiation levels were normal.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched 133 drones across the country overnight -- including attack drones -- targeting northern regions of the country where the Chernobyl plant lies.

Zelensky said the attack was evidence that "Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations -- he is preparing to continue deceiving the world."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Life Bigger Than Exam": Gautam Adani After UP Student Dies By Suicide

Gautam Adani, the Chairman of the Adani Group, on Thursday said that failure is never the final destination, adding that life always gives a second chance.

He wrote a post on X about an 18-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur who suicide after failing to clear the JEE exams.

"I have just this request to all of you - never consider failure as the final destination. Because life always gives a second chance…!" the Adani Group Chairman said on X.

अपेक्षाओं के बोझ तले दबकर एक होनहार बेटी का यूं चले जाना हृदयविदारक है।

जीवन किसी भी परीक्षा से बड़ा होता है- यह बात अभिभावकों को खुद भी समझनी होगी और बच्चों को भी समझानी होगी।

मैं पढ़ाई में बहुत सामान्य था। पढ़ाई एवं जीवन में कई बार असफल भी हुआ, लेकिन हर बार जिंदगी ने नया… https://t.co/3s1WnINLcb

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) February 13, 2025

Expressing sadness over the death of the student, Mr Adani said: "It is heartbreaking to see a promising daughter go away under the burden of expectations".

The teen had left a note for her parents stating that she was "sorry" for "not fulfilling their dreams".

Sharing the lesson of life, he also advised parents to keep pressures away from themselves and their children.

"Life is bigger than any exam – parents will have to understand this themselves and also explain it to their children," Gautam Adani said.

Further, the Adani Group Chairman also opened up about his personal failures and how he came out of them.

"I was very normal in my studies," he said, adding that he "failed many times in studies and life".

"But every time life showed me a new path," Gautam Adani said.

Meanwhile, to help students fare well in their lives and reduce their exam-related stress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the eighth edition of "Pariksha Pe Charcha' has also discussed mental health and wellbeing.

During the session, the Prime Minister shared valuable lessons on nutrition and wellness; mastering pressure; challenging oneself; the art of leadership; beyond books – 360-degree growth; finding positives and more.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Reveals How He Uses AI In His Daily Life

You might assume that top AI executives use artificial intelligence in highly sophisticated ways, but that's not necessarily the case. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, for example, primarily relies on AI for everyday tasks like summarizing emails and documents.

"I use [AI] in the boring ways," Altman said on Wharton psychologist Adam Grant's ReThinking podcast last month. "I use it for like, 'Help me process all of this email' or 'Help me summarize this document.'"

Altman isn't alone. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang uses AI chatbots to help draft written content, as he mentioned at a Wired event in December. Meanwhile, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella takes advantage of Outlook's AI features to organize and prioritize his inbox, he said at the Fast Company Innovation Festival 2024.

Despite leading the AI industry, these executives' personal use of AI mirrors that of many professionals. According to a Gallup survey from last year, the most common uses of AI chatbots include idea generation, information consolidation, and automating routine tasks.

The Future of AI: From Assistants to Agents

Altman acknowledges that AI's impact across industries is still evolving. In a January blog post, he pointed to AI "agents" as the next big step- models capable of handling multi-step tasks with minimal user input.

OpenAI took a step in this direction with Operator, a ChatGPT feature launched last month that can automate tasks like vacation planning, filling out forms, making reservations, and ordering groceries. Other tech giants, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Anthropic, are also developing similar AI-powered agents, CNBC Make It reported. 

"Imagine that this agent will eventually be capable of doing most things a software engineer at a top company with a few years of experience could do," Altman wrote. However, he noted that these agents won't be flawless-they'll need human supervision, struggle with some tasks, and won't be the source of groundbreaking new ideas.

For now, AI adoption in workplaces remains relatively low. A January report from McKinsey & Company found that only about 13% of U.S. employees currently use AI at work. But as AI agents become more capable, that number could rise-potentially changing how people across industries interact with technology in their daily routines.

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