Author: Rahul M

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has built what is currently the most popular AI chatbot in China: Doubao. Launched in 2023, the app has risen to the top of the country’s generative AI market, reaching more than 157 million monthly active users by August, according to Chinese analytics firm QuestMobile.But what’s less known is that Doubao also has an overseas counterpart: Cici. It was released around the same time and features a nearly identical female cartoon avatar as its app icon, except Cici’s has longer hair than Doubao’s. The app is region-locked and not available in either China or…

A court in southern Russia convicted 15 captured Ukrainian soldiers on terrorism charges Friday after a trial that Kyiv denounced as a sham and a violation of international law.The military court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced 15 men from the Aidar battalion, which Russia has designated a terrorist group, to prison terms ranging from 15 to 21 years.The verdict marks the second mass trial of Ukrainian prisoners of war since March, when 23 members of the elite Azov brigade were convicted on similar charges in a trial that also was condemned by Ukraine as a violation of international law.When the trial of…

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A Polish court on Friday blocked the extradition to Germany of a Ukrainian man suspected of involvement in the 2022 attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines and ordered his release, a ruling that was welcomed by Poland’s prime minister.The 46-year-old suspect, who has been identified only as Volodymyr Z. in line with local privacy rules, was arrested near Warsaw Sept. 30 on a German warrant. German prosecutors have described him as a trained diver and allege that he was part of a group that placed explosives on the pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm…

The highly anticipated Theerthodbhava of the Kaveri River took place at 1:44 pm today at Talakaveri, the source of the river, located in the picturesque region of Karnataka. This sacred event, occurring during the auspicious Makar Lagna, saw thousands of pilgrims assemble at the holy site to witness the momentous occasion, which is considered a key spiritual event for devotees.Also read: Karnataka enforces strict crackers regulations for Deepavali, limits bursting hours to two daysVarious puja rituals and prayers were heldEarly this morning, the atmosphere in Talakaveri and nearby Bhagamandala was charged with devotion, as various puja rituals and prayers were…

The Karnataka High Court, on October 14, dismissed the majority of a petition filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which sought to restrict the traditional Kambala bullock races to Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. However, the court agreed to continue hearing arguments concerning the potential impact of the event near a zoo in Mangaluru.Also read: Karnataka enforces strict crackers regulations for Deepavali, limits bursting hours to two daysKambala, a bullock race rooted in the coastal region of Karnataka, sees teams of bullocks racing along an earthen track. In its petition, PETA argued that the races should…

Former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) president Dhananjay will contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly election on a CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation ticket from the Bhore constituency in Gopalganj district, The Indian Express has learnt. Sources in the All India Students’ Association (AISA), the organisation of which Dhananjay belongs, said, “He has filed his nomination today and more details are awaited.” Dhananjay, who hails from a Dalit family in Gaya, is currently a PhD student in theatre studies at JNU. The youngest of six siblings, he is the son of a retired policeman and a homemaker. He completed his schooling in…

One of the most prevalent health issues nowadays, particularly in older folks, is knee and hip pain. Sometimes, injuries, wear and tear, obesity, or even a sedentary lifestyle can also trigger pain in these joints. Many people instinctively turn to painkillers as a temporary solution when their pain begins to interfere with their everyday lives.  Since these medications don’t address the underlying issue, they are not a long-term solution, even though they may provide momentary respite. In fact, over-reliance on drugs over time may lead to new health problems. Here are some of the risks linked to frequent or prolonged…

New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) Expressing relief over the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron on Friday said that the real challenge lies in the implementation of the peace plan as it is just the beginning of the process and not the end. “I am from Northern Ireland and for me it is very personal. The ceasefire is the beginning of the process, it is not the end. There are many years of work to go and many challenges ahead, but you must start because violence is not a way to resolve this. There is a complex…

BEIJING (AP) — Mongolia ’s parliament has voted to oust the prime minister in an unusually public power struggle within the ruling Mongolian People’s Party.Opponents of Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav managed to pass a controversially worded resolution Friday that effectively dismissed him from office.The parliament was also debating a request to resign from its speaker, Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve, the prime minister’s chief rival in the internal party struggle.It wasn’t immediately clear who might succeed Zandanshatar, who is acting prime minister until a successor is named, or whether he would challenge his dismissal. He was named prime minister in June.The political upheaval…

Your skin, hair, and nails often reveal what’s happening inside your body. While minor issues can be managed with home care, some signs shouldn’t be ignored.  Dr. Vidushi Jain, Dermatologist and Medical Head, Dermalinks unveils five clear indications that it’s time to visit a dermatologist: 1. You’re Losing More Than 100 Strands of Hair a Day It is normal to lose 50-100 hair strands in a day, but if you notice clumps of hair on your pillow, comb, or bathroom floor, then it may be due to some underlying cause such as hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiency, thyroid disease, or scalp…