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With an abundance of new supply condominiums market in the works, buyers will have varied options in Brickell and downtown Miami, according to local commercial development lending experts.
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Abraham Galvan
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(FOX40.COM) — Six of the backcountry skiers who were caught in an avalanche survived and were rescued late Tuesday evening. First responders braved extreme weather conditions to rescue the six skiers who were accounted for following the incident, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said. However, the other nine skiers are still missing, officials said in […]
Brett Stover
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New York’s Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez’s highest‑profile outing on the world stage yet at the Munich Security Conference last week has sharpened speculation about her long‑term political ambitions.
Newsweek has reached out to Ocasio‑Cortez via email for comment.
Ocasio‑Cortez’s emergence on an international platform comes as Democrats begin to look beyond President Donald Trump’s time in office and toward a generational reshaping of party leadership.
How seriously she is taken as a future contender is increasingly reflected in both betting odds and prediction markets.
Ocasio‑Cortez’s trip to Germany marked her most prominent international appearance to date, placing the New York congresswoman alongside world leaders and senior policymakers at one of the world’s most closely watched global security forums.
She has defended the purpose of her trip and rejected suggestions that it was about positioning herself for a White House run.
But William Kedjanyi, political betting analyst at Star Sports, told Newsweek the Munich Security Conference represented a significant step in how her political trajectory is now being viewed.
“AOC’s appearance at the Munich Security Conference was a notable step, an outing onto the world stage where she received as much attention as some other heads of state,” Kedjanyi said.
“While it was not all plain sailing, the fact she was there shows an intention and a seriousness to be at the very least heavily involved in any conversation.”
Although Ocasio‑Cortez has built her reputation largely through domestic policy battles, the Munich appearance elevated her international profile and placed her within a broader discussion about future Democratic leadership.
The visibility alone has contributed to renewed scrutiny of her standing in early 2028 calculations.
Star Sports currently lists Ocasio‑Cortez at 12/1 to win the 2028 U.S. presidential election, placing her behind Vice President JD Vance and California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, but ahead of a wide field of potential contenders.
Within the Democratic race, she is priced at 7/1 to secure the party’s nomination, second only to Newsom, the 6/4 favorite.
“Newsom is very much dominating the betting from the Democrat side, but Ocasio‑Cortez is the only person to get close,” Kedjanyi said.
“If she were to express a serious interest in running, I’m sure that those odds would go much shorter than they are now.”
Kedjanyi also pointed to shifting dynamics on the Democratic left, where Ocasio‑Cortez is widely seen as a natural heir to the progressive movement once led nationally by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
“There’s no doubt that there is a lot of youth energy behind Ocasio‑Cortez, particularly with Senator Bernie Sanders on the left of the party, perhaps not as prominent as he once was after his two runs for president,” he said.
“And despite having perhaps the largest international profile of any Democrats at this moment in time, Newsom does have an open exposed flank on his left.”
Prediction markets tracking the 2028 Democratic nomination and the presidential race more broadly largely mirror the picture seen in traditional betting, with Newsom consistently positioned as the front-runner and Ocasio‑Cortez grouped among the leading alternatives.
Kalshi and PolyMarket put her chances of securing the Democratic presidential nominee at 11 percent and 10 percent, respectively, at the time of writing, with Kalshi’s figure rising 3 percentage points since her arrival in Germany on February 12 and PolyMarket’s staying relatively flat.
While no sharp post‑Munich surge has been recorded, markets continue to place Ocasio‑Cortez firmly within the top tier of speculative contenders, reflecting her sustained national prominence and the added exposure from her highest‑profile international appearance to date.
Prediction markets tend to move decisively only after candidates signal formal intent, meaning her position could shift quickly if she were to indicate clearer presidential ambitions.
William Kedjanyi, political betting analyst at Star Sports, said: “It would be no surprise if Ocasio‑Cortez could mount a challenge from the left of the party using its progressive wing.”
President Donald Trump said of Ocasio‑Cortez following her appearance in Munich: “I watched AOC answering questions in Munich. This was not a good look for the United States.”
He added in remarks to reporters on Air Force One: “She’s just Trump deranged. She was so deranged. She is an angry woman. But I watched the other two speaking and answering basic questions.
“I never heard her speak very much, and they started answering questions. She had no idea what was happening. She had no idea how to answer, you know, very important questions concerning the world, but she can’t answer questions concerning New York City, either, because New York City has got some problems.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez said during a Sunday: “Progressive foreign policy has not been represented internationally in a very long time, if not ever, and I felt that it was very important to start bringing that into spaces of power.”
She added: “I remain ambitious, but my ambitions are in changing our political environment. That’s why I—when I was first elected—my ambition was to change the Democratic Party.”
New York Democratic strategist Jon Reinish previously told The Hill: “She has flubbed on foreign policy before, in speeches, in interviews, in some pretty high‑profile ways. So it was a bit surprising to me that she put herself in a position to do so again, on an even more high‑profile stage.”
Ocasio‑Cortez has not officially declared any intention to run for president, and the Democratic field remains unsettled with years still to go before formal campaigning begins.
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A Turn-Based Tactics game set in Viking-Age Norway. Build a settlement, forge alliances, and fight strategic battles. Manage a community of craftspeople, farmers, and warriors, as you grow strong on your path to vengeance in this story-rich saga.
Blood Demands Blood
Tactical Viking Combat
Warband And Settlement
Rule As Jarl
1 :: Download Game
2 :: Extract Game
3 :: Launch The Game
4 :: Have Fun 🙂
Skring
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Timestamps for each dish
00:00 Intro
00:34 Egg in a shell (oeufs à la coque)
01:34 Shirred eggs (oeufs en cocotte)
02:36 Country-style omelette (omelette paysanne)
03:30 Deviled eggs (oeufs mimosa)
04:33 Eggs Florentine
05:38 Ouef au plat
06:33 Perfect soft-boiled eggs (oeufs parfaits)
07:26 Scrambled eggs with black truffle (oeufs brouillés aux truffes)
08:28 French omelette
09:39 Floating island eggs (ile flottante)
11:28 Cheese soufflé (soufflé au fromage)
12:43 Eggs poached in red wine (oeufs en meurette)
tyinterrupted
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Crystal Cove, Barbados, A Tribute Portfolio All-Inclusive Resort
Crystal Cove, Barbados, A Tribute Portfolio All-Inclusive Resort, has officially opened on Barbados’ celebrated West Coast, introducing an energizing new take on beachfront leisure. The first all-inclusive resort within the Tribute Portfolio, the 88-room resort offers a fresh take on island living, where spontaneous moments, meaningful connections and effortless relaxation define the experience.
Located just 15.9 miles from Grantley Adams International Airport, Crystal Cove sits along one of the island’s most celebrated stretches of coastline, known for its calm turquoise waters and powder-soft sand. Designed for curious, social travelers who value individuality and atmosphere as much as comfort, the resort blends vivid design, open-air gathering spaces, and easy access to the rhythms of Barbados’ West Coast.
“Bringing Tribute Portfolio into an all-inclusive setting is an exciting moment for the brand as well as the entire Caribbean region,” said Brian King, President, Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott International. “Crystal Cove naturally captures what makes the brand so compelling – personality, creativity, and a true sense of community – while delivering the ease and inclusivity that we know travelers crave. Crystal Cove brings the Tribute Portfolio lens to island living in a way that feels fresh, connected and distinctly Barbadian.”
A Resort with Heart, Soul and a Strong Sense of Place.
Crystal Cove embodies Tribute Portfolio’s “Community of Character” ethos with spaces that feel warm, textured, and distinctly Barbadian. Three lagoon ‑ style pools, leafy terraces, and vibrant corners encourage exploration, while guestrooms and suites – each offering ocean or garden views – blend modern comfort with the island’s inviting, timeless charm.
Colorful, Honest, and Deliciously Local Dining
The resort’s culinary experiences are designed to feel open, social, and distinctly local. Across two restaurants and a coffee shop, guests can explore both familiar favorites and international flavors. High Tie Bar specializes in classic Bajan and Caribbean cuisine overlooking the incredible turquoise waters. Artisan Restaurant offers a chef-curated dining experience with both market-style offerings and à la carte dishes, while Vista Terrace Coffee & Wine Bar invites guests to linger over expertly crafted coffee and tea against sweeping ocean views. The resort’s beloved Cave Bar remains a destination-favorite, offering a swim-up retreat or a relaxing terrace behind a cascading waterfall, where creative cocktails complement a refreshing atmosphere. As part of its all-inclusive offering, guests also have access to the resort’s exclusive Dine Around Program, providing the opportunity to savor diverse culinary creations at participating sister properties within the Barbados Collection.
A Resort Designed for Connection and Play
Rooted in Tribute Portfolio’s Community of Character philosophy, Crystal Cove encourages connection through energizing shared moments and thoughtful programming. Motorized and non-motorized water sports, like boating, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, and water skiing, create endless opportunities to engage with the island’s stunning natural surroundings. The resort’s kids club brings an innovative approach to family fun by partnering with CAMP, a company known for imaginative, hands-on experiences that spark creativity and discovery. The redesigned fitness center features modern Life Fitness equipment to help maintain guests’ routines. Crystal Cove also offers a meeting space for up to 70 people for events that feel more personalized and intimate for both social and corporate.
“Our team is elated to reintroduce Crystal Cove as an all-inclusive resort, creating a place that truly reflects the spirit of Barbados and the character-driven essence of Tribute Portfolio,” said Alex Fiz, Area General Manager, Barbados Collection. “We wanted to create a resort that feels easy and welcoming from the moment guests arrive; somewhere you can settle in, slow down, and genuinely enjoy the rhythm of island life.”
Reservations are now open. Crystal Cove, as well as the other properties that are part of the Barbados Collection, participate in Marriott Bonvoy – the travel program that allows its members to earn and redeem points for stays and unique experiences across its more than 30 brands of hotels around the world. For more information, visit Marriott.com.
Laura
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Couple Friendly Official Trailer (Telugu) on UV Creations. Couple Friendly is an Upcoming 2026 Latest Movie Starring Santosh …
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Manchester United are considering a shock move for Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, while Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise is the closest thing to a perfect replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
– Manchester United are considering a shock move for Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, as reported by The Mirror. The Red Devils are drawing up a list of potential midfield options for the summer transfer window, and they are keeping close tabs on the 27-year-old’s future with speculation increasing that he could leave the Reds in the summer, although signing him would be a big task. Sources have told ESPN that Man United have also expressed an interest in Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton, Brighton & Hove Albion‘s Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson.
– Liverpool view Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise as the closest thing to a perfect replacement for Mohamed Salah, reports TEAMtalk. Even so, Bayern will shut down any idea of a departure for the former Crystal Palace star, who is also in no rush to return to the Premier League, and they are even preparing to open talks about a new contract despite his current deal running until 2029. Liverpool’s alternatives are RB Leipzig‘s Yan Diomande, Athletic Club‘s Nico Williams, and Paris Saint-Germain pair Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola. Meanwhile, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona are also interested in Olise but his transfer could cost over €100 million.
– Arsenal have been told that Athletic Club winger Nico Williams is considering a transfer away from the club this summer, as reported by TEAMtalk. The 23-year-old’s contract includes a release clause in the region of €100 million, with Barcelona and the Gunners being the two clubs that appeal most to him. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also been informed that he could be available by “intermediaries.”
– Juventus will speak to Marcos Senesi‘s agent again to try to reach an agreement to sign the center back as a free agent when his contract at AFC Bournemouth expires this summer, as reported by Nicolo Schira. Juve are working to overtake Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Manchester United in the race to sign the 28-year-old.
– Manchester United will continue to monitor Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney as the Red Devils plan their recruitment strategy for the midfield ahead of the summer transfer window, according to TEAMtalk. Middlesbrough were resolute in January to see off interest from Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur, but there is a belief that Hackney will be playing Premier League football next season whether that is due to promotion or a transfer, and his links with former Boro boss Michael Carrick (who is now in charge at Old Trafford) could be key to his future. But Everton are also keeping an eye on the 23-year-old’s situation.
ESPN’s Liverpool correspondent Beth Lindop on the chances of a shock move for midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
While there has been plenty of speculation over Mac Allister’s future in recent months, this one feels like a bit of a nonstarter.
The Argentina international was outstanding for Arne Slot’s side as they romped to the title last season but his notable dip in form has contributed to their struggles this term. With close friends and fellow South Americans Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez having left the club last summer, there have been some suggestions Mac Allister could soon be open to a new challenge.
However, considering a player hasn’t directly transferred between Liverpool and Manchester United since Phil Chisnall in 1964, it seems highly unlikely Mac Allister will be the one to buck that trend.
The midfielder is under contract at Anfield until 2028 and so would command a significant transfer fee this summer. It is a move that would make little sense for all parties.
1:01
Laurens: Eze needed this performance for Arsenal
Julien Laurens praises Eberechi Eze performance vs. Wigan as Mikel Arteta rotated his starting XI in the FA cup.
– Arsenal hold an edge over Tottenham Hotspur in their efforts to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka as a free agent in the summer. (Football Insider)
– Liverpool are considering reigniting their interest in Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon in case Mohamed Salah leaves. (Football Insider)
– Nicolas Jackson is set to return to Chelsea in the summer as Bayern Munich are unlikely to trigger the clause that would require them to sign the striker for a further £56.2 million on top of the £14.3 million loan fee. (Times)
– Manchester City prefer to loan out James Trafford than let the goalkeeper permanently leave, with Leeds United, Aston Villa and Newcastle United interested. (TEAMtalk)
– Arsenal will be willing to let left back Riccardo Calafiori leave in the summer amid growing concerns about his injury record. (Football Insider)
– European and Saudi Pro League sides are waiting to move for Hakan Calhanoglu if Internazionale can’t reach an agreement to extend the midfielder’s contract. (Nicolo Schira)
– There is plenty of Premier League interest in Marc Casado, but the midfielder and Barcelona will make the final decision on whether he moves. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Stuttgart have submitted a concrete offer to sign Grischa Promel as a free agent in the summer, but Hoffenheim are keen to extend the midfielder’s contract amid interest from Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg. (Florian Plettenberg)
– St. Louis City are finalizing a deal to sign Venezuela forward Sergio Cordova on loan from Young Boys with an option to make the deal permanent. (Tom Bogert)
ESPN
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TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Texas Tech star JT Toppin was doing his usual work in the paint Tuesday night, pouring in buckets and grabbing rebounds against Arizona State in a tough road environment.
The 13th-ranked Red Raiders can recover from their 72-67 loss to the Sun Devils. But it’s going to be much harder if the 6-foot-9 Toppin — a preseason All-America selection averaging nearly 22 points per game — is out for an extended period.
Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said Toppin injured his lower leg with 6:03 remaining, but wasn’t sure about the severity. Toppin stayed down for a few minutes before needing assistance to gingerly limp off the court.
“It’s hard to say until we get it looked at closely,” McCasland said. “But I just know he’s really disappointed. He’s such a competitor. We’ll get back and get him looked at.”
Toppin finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four blocks, and the Red Raiders were obviously shaken when he left the floor. He sat on the bench for a brief period before going back to the locker room.
“I hope he’s OK, and I hate to see a guy go out of a game like that. He’s one of the best players in the country,” Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley said. “My heart goes out to him and hope that he’s back soon for them.”
Texas Tech was trailing 61-56 at the time of the injury and fell behind 67-56 over the next few minutes. The Red Raiders regrouped and pulled to 70-67 in the final seconds, but Christian Anderson turned the ball over, costing them a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer.
“It knocked us on our heels a little bit,” McCasland said of Toppin’s injury. “But, man, we’ve got a competitve group and found a way to get it to a one-possession game. Gave ourselves a chance late, which is what you want. I told our team that I loved the group that was on the floor at the end and the fight.
“If we had done that for the previous 38, 37 minutes, then we would have put ourselves in better position.”
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Associated Press
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Spanish streaming platform Filmin and Belgium’s Boucan Film Production have boarded the series “Robbery, Beating & Death” (“El pitjor atracament de la historia”) from “This is Not Sweden” producers, Funicular Films.
Upscale SVOD service Filmin also produces original shows and holds a vast catalog of classic films. It also hosts dedicated country channels, like that of Costa Rica.
Founded by producers Boris Van Gils and Michaël Goldberg, Boucan describes itself as a company that makes audience-driven auteur films with mainstream appeal. It has offices in Brussels, Abidjan and Paris. Among their notable credits are Stephan Streker’s “Noces,” nominated for a Best Foreign Film César award in 2018 and Belgian box office hit “Les Rayures du Zèbra.”
Participating in the Berlinale Co-Pro Series event, the series turns on two lifelong friends who are hired to create a television series centered on a bank heist. Eager for the acclaim they’ve always been denied, they cling to the bold, extreme philosophy of a mysterious artist they admire. Determined to prove themselves, they push their project beyond fiction—choosing not to film the story, but to carry out a real bank robbery instead.
Said Funicular’s Marta Baldó: “Framed as a playful guide to pulling off the greatest heist in the world, ‘Robbery, beating and death’ uses comedy to explore universal themes: friendship, family, loyalty, work, art, capitalism and the contradictions of our industry.”
“Like science fiction or dystopia, its meta layer lets us talk about the present human condition with political and philosophical bite,” she noted.
Marcel Borràs and Nao Albet have written and directed the series, in which they will also star. The rest of the cast has yet to be confirmed.
“Robbery, Beating & Death” received vital support from Catalan cultural agency, ICEC, a pillar of Catalonia’s robust audiovisual production landscape.
ICEC’s High-End TV Production Fund, launched in 2022, allots up to €1.5 million ($1.8 million) for Catalan-language series with a minimum budget of €4 million ($4.7 million).
“This Is Not Sweden,” first presented at Series Mania 2024, picked up the Best Performance award for Aina Clotet at Canneseries 2024. It also won the Prix Europa for Best European TV Fiction Series. Clotet has directed her first feature film, the love triangle drama “Oh Nora!” based on a screenplay she co-wrote with Valentina Viso. It is co-produced by Funicular and Ikiru Films and is currently in post.
Bowing in Spain on Catalonia’s 3Cat and national pubcaster RTVE, “This is Not Sweden” follows a young couple, Mariana and Samuel who resettle, along with other yuppies, to a chic, leafy community perched on the western hills overlooking Barcelona, determined to create the best possible life for their young children.
Anna Marie de la Fuente
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Teyana Taylor joined Nike to close all the NBA All-Star Weekend at the Bird Streets Club in Los Angeles.
extratv.com
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UPDATE: From The Daytona Beach Police DepartmentThe campus lockdown has been lifted. At this time, no credible threat has been identified. Law enforcement personnel will remain on campus as a precaution and to provide continued security. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach is on lockdown after a threat was made to the campus. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood clarified that the situation is a threat, not an active shooter incident.A law enforcement source said the threatening call came in around 8:40 p.m. with the suspect saying, “five minutes away and I’m going to start shooting the campus up.” The potential threat was reported at the Mori Hosseini Student Union on Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus, prompting immediate action from Campus Safety and local law enforcement, according to Embry-Riddle. Embry-Riddle sent out a shelter-in-place alert saying, “No matter where you are on campus, you shelter in place.” At this time Daytona Police Department is on the scene, escorting students to their rooms, then searching the campus. WESH 2 spoke with freshman Nick Krasznavolgyi, who said he was leaving the Student Union when he got the campus alert about the threat. “It was pretty nerve-wracking,” he said. “Especially these kind of threats are unfortunately common today, and so I got the notification, my heart instantly dropped to my stomach, and I started hauling back to my dorm. It was a pretty scary experience.”He shared screenshots of the alerts he received Tuesday night. Multiple encouraging students to continue sheltering in place until given the all clear. The Daytona Beach PD and the FBI are actively investigating the call. Daytona Beach PD asks everyone to avoid the area while officers conduct their investigation. >> This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information is released.
UPDATE: From The Daytona Beach Police Department
The campus lockdown has been lifted. At this time, no credible threat has been identified. Law enforcement personnel will remain on campus as a precaution and to provide continued security.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach is on lockdown after a threat was made to the campus.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood clarified that the situation is a threat, not an active shooter incident.
A law enforcement source said the threatening call came in around 8:40 p.m. with the suspect saying, “five minutes away and I’m going to start shooting the campus up.”
The potential threat was reported at the Mori Hosseini Student Union on Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus, prompting immediate action from Campus Safety and local law enforcement, according to Embry-Riddle.
Embry-Riddle sent out a shelter-in-place alert saying, “No matter where you are on campus, you shelter in place.”
At this time Daytona Police Department is on the scene, escorting students to their rooms, then searching the campus.
WESH 2 spoke with freshman Nick Krasznavolgyi, who said he was leaving the Student Union when he got the campus alert about the threat.
“It was pretty nerve-wracking,” he said. “Especially these kind of threats are unfortunately common today, and so I got the notification, my heart instantly dropped to my stomach, and I started hauling back to my dorm. It was a pretty scary experience.”
He shared screenshots of the alerts he received Tuesday night. Multiple encouraging students to continue sheltering in place until given the all clear.
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The Daytona Beach PD and the FBI are actively investigating the call. Daytona Beach PD asks everyone to avoid the area while officers conduct their investigation.
This content is imported from Facebook.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
>> This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information is released.
KARNAL, India — Farmer Bir Virk tapped the iPad mounted beside his tractor’s steering wheel and switched the vehicle to automatic mode. The machine moved forward and began harvesting potatoes on its own in the fields of Karnal, a city in northern India.
Some 145 kilometers (90 miles) away in the country’s capital of New Delhi, educator Swetank Pandey employed similar automation at his coaching academy. He used algorithms to scan and grade handwritten exam papers from candidates for India’s competitive civil services.
In both cases, the same invisible hand was at work: artificial intelligence.
From farms to classrooms, AI is fast emerging as a tool for many Indians to boost efficiency and cut time, costs and labor. Early adopters, like Virk and Pandey, say the technology is helping them boost productivity as they test AI’s potential to find solutions at work.
“I am able to farm very efficiently and I feel very happy that I do the work what my grandfather and father used to do. Now I am carrying the tradition forward with the right technology,” said Virk.
As AI use surges across the globe, the technology is steadily gaining ground across India as businesses, startups and individuals experiment with new ways to improve efficiency.
The Indian government is also rolling out national initiatives to fund research and train workers in AI. That push is on display this week as New Delhi hosts a five-day AI summit, which is being attended by heads of state and top tech CEOs.
With nearly a billion internet users, India has also become a key focus for global tech companies to scale their AI businesses in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.
Last December, Microsoft announced a $17.5 billion investment over four years to expand cloud and AI infrastructure in India. It followed Google’s $15 billion investment over five years, including plans for its first AI hub in the country.
“There’s some good use cases that have started. There are these scaling platforms that are now embedding AI into them,” said Sangeeta Gupta, senior vice president at NASSCOM, a prominent body representing India’s technology industry.
India’s adoption to AI, however, has its constraints.
The country still lags in developing its own large-scale AI model like U.S.-based OpenAI or China’s DeepSeek, highlighting challenges such as limited access to advanced semiconductor chips, data centers and hundreds of local languages to learn from.
While tech companies have ramped up spending on AI training and reskilling, those unable to adapt are being pushed out. Tata Consultancy Services, the country’s largest private employer, cut more than 12,000 jobs last year, driven by a rapid shift toward AI.
At the same time, however, people like Virk and Pandey say AI tools are already making their work faster and more efficient.
Virk, the farmer, first encountered AI-driven farming technology five years ago while studying and working in the United States. When he returned to India in 2021, he imported the system from a Swedish company and has been using it on his farm for the past couple of years.
His automated tractor can plant seeds, spray fertilizer and harvest crops. The system costs about $3,864 and combines a steering motor, satellite signals that help move the tractor precisely, and an AI-driven software that converts data into movement.
It also logs errors and uploads them to a cloud platform, where the software company analyzes the data and sends related updates back to the machine.
“Technology and intelligence play a big role in this. The tractor works in a straight line. It maintains an accuracy of 0.01 centimeter (0.004 inch),” Virk said.
He said his AI-enabled tractor has reduced his work time by half.
“Its most special feature is that it is self-learning,” he said.
Educator Pandey teaches at a civil services coaching center, a sector known for its fierce competition. Millions of young Indians compete for civil service jobs each year, and coaching centers process vast numbers of tests, evaluations and revisions.
Pandey said AI has made that workload easier to manage.
Using large language models such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude, along with other automation tools, Pandey and his team scan and evaluate answer sheets, create targeted study material and structure syllabuses for the aspirants.
Pandey said the technology helps him carry out repetitive tasks, allowing tens of thousands of answer sheets to be evaluated in as little as 20 to 25 minutes.
“If you have a better machine, bigger system, you can do it in two minutes,” he said.
For now, his coaching academy uses a hybrid model. AI helps with evaluations and teachers review the output, improving both speed and quality.
Pandey said AI often produces study material that students find more relatable than those devised by teachers.
“AI is able to give us in advance a basic idea what the student is doing right now and what next he or she should do to be able to achieve their goals,” he said.
——
Saaliq reported from New Delhi.
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UK inflation fell sharply to 3 per cent in January, strengthening the case for the Bank of England to cut interest rates as soon as its next meeting in March.
Wednesday’s figure from the Office for National Statistics marked a slowdown from December’s 3.4 per cent figure and was the lowest rate since last spring. It was in line with the expectations of economists polled by Reuters.
The BoE held interest rates at 3.75 per cent this month but the decision was closely fought, with some policymakers arguing for an immediate quarter-point cut because of weakening demand and a cooling labour market.
Official figures on Tuesday showed that unemployment rose to 5.2 per cent at the end of last year while wage growth slowed, fuelling the case for another quarter-point rate reduction.
The central bank predicts that inflation will fall to roughly its target level of 2 per cent from April, thanks in part to Budget measures aimed at curbing bill increases.
Zara Nokes, global market analyst at JPMorgan Asset Management, said it appeared the UK had “finally turned a corner” in its battle against inflation. “Today’s data showed a meaningful step down in headline inflation, with broad-based disinflation across sectors,” she said.
January’s decline in price growth, which brought the headline figure down to its lowest level since March last year, was driven by food prices and transport — particularly air fares.
Education costs also pulled the index lower as last year’s VAT rise on school fees dropped out of annual comparisons.
Core CPI inflation, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, slipped to 3.1 per cent from 3.2 per cent in the 12 months to December 2025.
Services inflation, which is closely watched by the BoE as a sign of underlying pressures, fell from 4.5 per cent to 4.4 per cent. This left it higher than the BoE’s forecast of 4.1 per cent services price growth, but analysts said this was unlikely to deter the central bank from lowering rates next month.
Alongside a rising jobless rate, private sector wage growth eased to 3.4 per cent at the end of last year, according to Tuesday’s jobs data, bringing it closer to the 3.25 per cent rate the BoE thinks is consistent with its 2 per cent inflation target.
“Yesterday’s rise in the unemployment rate to a five-year high will likely dominate the thinking of the doves on the MPC, leaving a March rate cut as highly likely,” said Rob Wood, an economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.
The pound was flat against the dollar in early trading at $1.356. Traders slightly firmed up their bets on a March cut, ascribing a more than 80 per cent chance of a quarter-point reduction in the BoE rate, according to swaps contracts.
Responding to the figures, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said: “Cutting the cost of living is my number one priority. Thanks to the choices we made at the Budget we are bringing inflation down, with £150 off energy bills, a freeze in rail fares for the first time in 30 years and prescription fees frozen again.”
FROM THE RIVER AND THE RESERVOIR DOWNSTREAM. WELL, THE CITY OF STOCKTON IS CONSIDERING ITS BAN ON NEW SMOKE SHOPS. THE CITY’S CURRENT MORATORIUM ENDS NEXT MONTH, BUT THE STAFF SAYS THAT THEY NEED ANOTHER YEAR TO STUDY AND POSSIBLY REVISE THE CITY’S TOBACCO REGULATIONS. THOSE CHANGES COULD INCLUDE BANNING FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS, INDUSTRIAL HEMP PRODUCTS WITH INTOXICATING CANNABINOIDS, AND ILLEGAL CANNABIS. IT COULD ALSO REQUIRE ANYONE SELLING TOBACCO PRODUCTS BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD, AND STORES WOULD NEED TO DISPLAY TOBACCO PRODUC
Stockton is considering extending its ban on new smoke shops for another year as city staff say they need more time to study and possibly revise the city’s tobacco regulations. The current moratorium is set to end next month. Proposed changes could include banning flavored tobacco products, industrial hemp products with intoxicating cannabinoids, and illegal cannabis. Additionally, the city may require anyone selling tobacco products to be at least 21 years old, mandate that stores display tobacco products in one specific part of the store, and restrict store hours to between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Stockton is considering extending its ban on new smoke shops for another year as city staff say they need more time to study and possibly revise the city’s tobacco regulations.
The current moratorium is set to end next month. Proposed changes could include banning flavored tobacco products, industrial hemp products with intoxicating cannabinoids, and illegal cannabis.
Additionally, the city may require anyone selling tobacco products to be at least 21 years old, mandate that stores display tobacco products in one specific part of the store, and restrict store hours to between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Chodri is taking a leave of absence following his domestic battery-related arrest, officials say.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Chief Executive Officer is taking a leave of absence following his domestic battery-related arrest, according to officials
The project’s board of directors and state transportation agency will review the situation surrounding CEO Ian Chodri’s arrest while he’s on leave, officials said.
“While CEO Choudri has informed the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board that he is not aware of any evidence of wrongdoing, he has voluntarily agreed to take a temporary leave to allow the Board and our parent agency, the California State Transportation Agency, to fully review and assess the situation,” said Peter Whippy, the Chief of External Affairs and Communications for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. “We are taking this matter seriously, consistent with our longstanding commitment to public responsibility, transparency, and accountability. The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s work continues without interruption, and our priorities remain unchanged.”
Officials told ABC10 that Chief of Staff Mark Tollefson will assume responsibility for day-to-day decision making of the authority during the temporary period.
The Folsom Police Department said Choudri’s arrest happened on Feb. 4 on the 500 block of Borges Court in Folsom. They added that the violaiton is a misdemeanor.
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office didn’t file charges after receiving the incident report from Folsom police, according to Allen Sawyer, Choudri’s attorney.
The District Attorney’s Office also reportedly declined to file charges against Choudri’s wife, Lyudmila Starostyuk.
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office gave the following statement:
Our office takes all allegations of domestic violence incredibly seriously, regardless of who the suspect is or what position they hold in our community. Per penal code section 13701, in domestic violence situations law enforcement shall take steps to determine who the “dominant aggressor” is to make the appropriate arrest. In this case, law enforcement arrested one male and one female. Officers did not see or note any injuries to either individual.
Since the evidence does not clearly demonstrate a “dominant aggressor” we determined there was insufficient evidence to file charges to sustain our burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Choudri was appointed by the Authority’s Board of Directors in August 2024.
According to the Authority’s website, before joining the Authority, Choudri had an extensive career working on construction projects related to rail, telecommunications, highways, energy, defense, airports and seaports.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | Lawmakers raise transparency concerns after $537M high-speed rail settlement approved
Hull KR have locked in their squad for one of the biggest games in the club’s modern history, naming the men entrusted with taking on the Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge.
The Robins will carry the pride of the Super League onto the global stage, with anticipation building around how they match up against the NRL premiers.
Selection has offered a clear insight into the balance of grit and flair head coach Willie Peters is backing for the occasion.
With the squad confirmed, all roads lead to a heavyweight showdown that promies intensity from the opening whistle.
New recruit Tom Amone will make his club, while Mikey Lewis gets the all-clear to play in the game.
Nine former NRL players make up the lineup.
Interchange
15. Sam Luckley
16. Jai Whitbread
17. Rhyse Martin
19. Karl Lawton
18th Man:
18. Jack Brown
Reserves:
14. Jack Broadbent
22. Billy Leyland
29. Tom Whitehead
Hull KR will take on the Brisbane Broncos on Friday 20 February 6:30am AEDT.
Get set for the footy with the FREE Zero Tackle 2026 NRL Season Guide! Packed with 130+ pages of player profiles, team previews, insights and analysis, the 2026 NRL Season Guide is built for fans who want the full picture. Download your free Season Guide HERE.
Netflix “will not stand by and watch ByteDance treat our valued IP as free, public domain clip art,” the streamer told the TikTok owner tonight. In a short and stern cease and desist letter over Seedance 2.0, Netflix want generated AI videos of Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters, Squid Game and Bridgerton shut down now.
With their two-page correspondence and potential legal action to follow, Netflix have linked arms and attorney arsenals with Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount (their rivals to buy WBD), and the still Bob Iger-run Disney to stop the user created content that has been bastardizing their top shows, films and other moneymakers. While Amazon, Apple, Sony and Comcast-owned Universal have yet to join the party, it is clear now with the Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters-led Netflix in the C&D house, this is serious stuff.
How serious?
Well, Netflix litigation chief Mindy LeMoine isn’t making as personal as WBD’s Wayne M. Smith did earlier Tuesday with his predecessor and now ByteDance Global General Counsel John Rogovin. Then again, LeMoine does cut to the chase with very specific citations:
“Current forensic evidence indicates that Seedance is being used to generate unauthorized derivative works including, but not limited to:
● Bridgerton: Unauthorized depictions of Season 4 content, specifically featuring characters in a masquerade ball setting. These outputs mirror specific, narratively important costumes like Sophie Baek’s “Lady in Silver” gown. ByteDance has even promoted this content using #Bridgerton tags via its own official social media channels, such as @BytePlusGlobal.
● Stranger Things: High-fidelity reboots of the series finale, which feature detailed reproductions of the iconic cast as well as the monsters from the series, including Demogorgons and the Mindflayer.
● Squid Game: Seedance has generated recreations of the “Red Light, Green Light” sets and the iconic Young-hee doll. These include unauthorized crossovers, such as inserting real-world figures like Elon Musk into the Squid Game environment.
● KPop Demon Hunters: Seedance has reproduced the specific visual style and character designs from our animated musical feature, including the lead character Rumi.”
‘KPop Demon Hunters’
Netflix
The C&D letter goes on to state: “Netflix has never authorized ByteDance to use our content to generate these images or videos. ByteDance’s activities are willful, and constitute direct and secondary copyright infringement. The use of copyrighted works to create a competing commercial product, especially one that regurgitates the original, is not protected by fair use.”
Unlike Disney, Paramount and WBD, Netflix are in full FAFO-mode here and give the Chinese tech company three days to set things straight. This comes one day after ByteDance swore they are “taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorised use of intellectual property and likeness by users.”
Netflix isn’t buying it.
“To avoid immediate litigation, Netflix demands that ByteDance:
1. Cease Generative Output: Immediately implement technological guardrails to prevent Seedance from generating any content that resembles Netflix’s protected characters, titles, or settings.
2. Remove Infringing Content: Remove all unlawfully obtained Netflix-owned content from training datasets, and also scrub all existing Seedance-generated videos featuring Netflix IP from all ByteDance-controlled platforms.
3. Identify All Infringements: Provide an accounting of all instances where Seedance has generated content based on prompts related to Netflix’s IP.
4. Revoke Third-Party Access: Revoke access for any commercial partners or API users currently utilizing Seedance to generate unauthorized Netflix derivative works.”
So, as Netflix awaits ByteDance’s response later this week, will it be Amazon, Apple, Sony or Universal sending the next letter? Stay tuned.
Dominic Patten
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