Mohini Barman - The Purbottar

11 Jun

British Schools Roll Out Virtual Teachers to Support Human Staff

Mohini BarmanInternational

In an ambitious pilot programme, over 50 public schools across England have introduced AI-powered teaching assistants to aid educators in lesson planning, grading, and student feedback. The digital assistants, developed by a UK-based ed-tech firm, use large language models to support teachers with real-time suggestions and classroom engagement tools. The Education Department says this move will reduce workload stress and improve learning outcomes. While teacher unions have cautiously welcomed the innovation, they demand transparency in AI usage and data privacy. "Technology must supplement, not replace, human teachers," said a spokesperson for the National Education Union. Several schools in India and…

10 Jun

New York Implements Citywide Drone Surveillance

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a groundbreaking move, New York City has started deploying surveillance drones for routine monitoring of public spaces. The NYPD confirmed the rollout aims to curb rising street crimes, particularly in subway stations and major parks. The initiative, launched under the “Safe Skies NYC” program, has already sparked privacy debates. While authorities claim the drones are equipped with motion sensors, not facial recognition, civil liberty groups are demanding clearer usage protocols. “Technology can be a partner in public safety, but it must not intrude on civil rights,” said NYCLU director Anthony Romero. The drones will operate under strict time-bound schedules…

10 Jun

Air India names Boeing 777 ‘Sikkim’ to mark 50th statehood day

Mohini BarmanSikkim

Air India has honoured Sikkim by naming one of its Boeing 777-300 aircraft ‘Sikkim’. The move by India’s national carrier is being hailed as a celebration of diversity and unity, especially as it coincides with the 50th Statehood Day of Sikkim. The newly christened aircraft, emblazoned with the name ‘Sikkim’ in bold letters near its nose, is not just a mode of transport; it is a flying tribute to the spirit of the Indian Union. For the people of Sikkim, this act has stirred deep emotions, as their small but vibrant state finds a place of honor in the skies…

09 Jun

Matarbari Port Expected to Transform Bay of Bengal Trade

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has inaugurated its first deep-sea port at Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar, a $4.5 billion project funded through Japanese investment and national infrastructure bonds. Capable of handling the world’s largest cargo ships, the port is expected to reduce reliance on Chittagong and ease pressure on inland transport. It will serve as a vital hub for regional trade, connecting India’s Northeast, Bhutan, and Nepal to global shipping routes. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called it “a landmark in our economic history.” The port is projected to boost Bangladesh’s GDP by at least 2% over the next five years. Indian, Bhutanese, and Nepalese…

09 Jun

Record-Breaking Heatwave Grips Western USA

Mohini BarmanInternational

The western United States is battling a dangerous heatwave, with temperatures in parts of California and Arizona crossing 47°C (116°F), prompting heat advisories and wildland fire warnings. Phoenix recorded its hottest June day in over 100 years, while power grids in California are under strain as residents rely heavily on air conditioning. Hospitals in cities like Las Vegas and Palm Springs are reporting an uptick in heatstroke and dehydration cases. Experts link the extreme weather to the El Niño phenomenon combined with long-term climate change. “This is not normal June weather—this is August-level heat,” said a meteorologist at the National…

07 Jun

Apple Unveils AI-Powered Features at WWDC 2025

Mohini BarmanInternational

Apple has officially announced a suite of generative AI tools under the name “Apple Intelligence” at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025. The features will be embedded into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15, promising highly personalized user experiences. Apple Intelligence integrates deeply with native apps like Mail, Notes, and Messages. It offers smart summarization, tone adjustments in writing, image generation, and even automatic organization of notifications. The company is also partnering with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri, allowing users to get more nuanced responses. Unlike many competitors, Apple claims all AI processing will happen on-device or via…

07 Jun

Bhutan delegation in Assam, Meghalaya on 6-day visit

Mohini BarmanAssam

A nine-member delegation from Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) arrived on Saturday at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here on a six-day visit to Assam and Meghalaya, an official said. The delegation was scheduled to visit Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) and the Hayagriva Madhava Mandir at Hajo in Kamrup district on Saturday. The delegation will visit the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Umananda or the Peacock Island, the Guwahati Tea Auction centre and the Royal Bhutan Consul General's Office here on Sunday.

06 Jun

Lovlina launches boxing academy in Guwahati; Assam CM pledges Rs 2 crore support

Mohini BarmanAssam

Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has unveiled her boxing academy in Barchandra in north Guwahati and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a grant of Rs 2 crore for its development. Set up on land purchased by Borgohain in 2021, the Lovlina Borgohain Boxing Academy, inaugurated on Wednesday, aims to provide grassroots boxers with professional infrastructure, including a 26x26 boxing ring and a fully equipped gym. The centre is Guwahati’s first of its kind and will cater to youth from across Assam and the northeast.

06 Jun

Bangladesh Launches Electric Bus Fleet in Dhaka

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has introduced its first fleet of electric buses in Dhaka, marking a significant step toward sustainable urban transportation. Developed in collaboration with South Korean and Chinese partners, the electric buses aim to reduce air pollution and modernize the city's public transport system. The new buses offer silent operation, zero tailpipe emissions, and are equipped with advanced ticketing and security systems. The initiative is part of a broader plan to deploy 500 electric buses over the next two years, improving air quality and commuter experience. Neighboring countries like India and Nepal, facing similar urban pollution challenges, are observing Dhaka's transition…

06 Jun

India and Malaysia Explore Semiconductor Collaboration

Mohini BarmanIndia

India and Malaysia are engaging in discussions to collaborate on semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to strengthen their positions in the global chip industry. Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, emphasized the potential for structured engagement between the two nations, highlighting Malaysia's expertise in semiconductor manufacturing and India's growing market. India's semiconductor market is projected to grow from US$38 billion in 2023 to US$109 billion by 2030. Major global players like Foxconn, Micron Technology, Applied Materials, and AMD have already invested in India, signaling confidence in its semiconductor roadmap. Malaysia's longstanding experience in the semiconductor sector positions…