kannur l tuesday l February 17, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION In a first, U.S. transports small nuclear reactor on a plane A microreactor was flown on a cargo plane from California to Utah showing nuclear power can be deployed quickly for military and civilian use can help U.S. Military in far-flung locations push by trump to promote microreactors The US departments of energy and defence partnered with private firm Valar Atomics to fly one of the company’s microreactors on a C-17 aircraft. “This gets us closer to deploying nuclear power when and where needed to give our warfighters the tools to win,” a US official said. Critics have highlighted the challenge of handling the radioactive waste generated ■ ■ The microreactor used in Sunday’s Operation Windlord can generate up to 5 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 5,000 homes The experiment comes amid plans by Trump administration to promote the manufacturing of small reactors to meet the growing power demand sparked by artificial intelligence and data centres 19% of electricity generated in the U.S. in 2024 came from nuclear power CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Shaping solutions for the world Modi opens India AI Impact Summit; Vaishnaw seeks global consensus on copyright issue Being here among innovators, researchers and tech enthusiasts gives a glimpse of the extraordinary potential of AI, Indian talent and innovation Global platforms like yours (Motion Picture Association) and Netflix should be aware of the cultural context of the country in which they are operating Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Sarvam AI stall at the India AI Impact Expo in New Delhi, as Sarvam’s co-founder Pratyush Kumar looks on | PTI Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister The opening day witnessed long queues and packed sessions across the venue. Heavy traffic congestion and confusion at the entry gates left many participants, dignitaries, exhibitors, and speakers stranded outside for extended periods. Several attendees took to social media to express their frustration. While some complained about long waiting times, others flagged the lack of UPI payment facilities at food counters, poor mobile connectivity, and inadequate signage and instructions. VIP security arrangements further compounded the inconvenience, with several areas of the venue cordoned off from 2 pm. The rush was especially visible at the food courts spread across the venue, all of which remained heavily crowded throughout the day express read Organ transplant centre to be named after Aalin Pathanamthitta: CMPinarayi Vijayan on Monday announced that the state-of-the-art organ transplant centre launched in Kozhikode will be named after Aalin Sherin Abraham, honouring the 10-month-old baby who gave new life to four others through organ donation. P5 Actor abduction case marks nine years Kochi: The sensational actor abduction case will complete nine years on Tuesday. With the trial court verdict pronounced on December 12, 2025, the state government is preparing to file an appeal soon, signalling that the case is set to enter yet another prolonged phase before the higher judiciary. P5 Modi’s two-day visit to Israel next week New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel from February 25 on a two-day state visit, during which the two countries are expected to discuss defence cooperation, technology partnerships and regional developments in West Asia. P7 R a k e s h Ku m a r @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit, the largest congregation of AI experts, bringing together heads of state and government, ministers, global technology leaders, researchers, multilateral institutions, and industry stakeholders in Delhi. The five-day summit from February 16 to 20, will deliberate on the role of AI in advancing inclusive growth, strengthening public systems, and enabling sustainable development. “Inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. Being here among innovators, researchers and 11am: New Zealand vs Canada (Chennai) 3pm: Ireland vs Zimbabwe (Pallekele) 7pm: Scotland vs Nepal (Mumbai) ties have to adhere to the @ New Delhi time schedule,” said a threejudge bench of the apex In a curious turn of events, court, headed by Chief Justhe Supreme Court has di- tice Surya Kant. rected the Kerala govern“The Centre will be argument to submit its written ing in support of the review stand by March 14 on the re- petitioners,” Solicitor Genview petitions relating to the eral Tushar Mehta, appearhighly sensitive issue of en- ing for the Union governtry of women of menstrual ment, told the bench. age in Sabarimala—a Also listed alongdeadline that pointside the Sabarimala edly coincides with matter were petithe run-up to the astions concer ning sembly elections. women’s entry into On Monday, the dargahs and apex court finally mosques, the rights took up more than 50 of Parsi women Hearing review petitions that married to non-Parhave been pending from April 7 sis to enter Fire for over five years, Temples, and validThe review against its 2018 ver- petitions will be ity of the practices dict which struck such as excommuheard by a down as unconstitu- 9-judge bench nication and female tional the ban on from April 7, and genital mutilation women aged 10–50 within the Dawoodi is likely to years from entering Bohra community . conclude on the hill shrine. After In 2018, a fiveApril 22. a brief hearing, it orjudge bench of the dered that the petiSupreme Court lifttions will be heard by a ed the ban on women aged 9-judge bench from April 7, 10-50 years entering the and is likely to conclude on Sabarimala temple, holding April 22. the practice unconstitution“The 9-judge bench shall al, discriminatory and viola, begin hearing the review tive of fundamental rights. case on April 7, 2026 at 10.30 By a 4:1 majorty, the bench am. The review petitioners struck down Rule 3(b) of the shall be heard from April 7 to 1965 Kerala rules, stating 9, 2026. The parties opposing that the exclusion based on the review will be heard physiological factors such as from April 16-17, 2026. Re- menstruation could not qualjoinder submissions will be ify as an essential religious ● More on P4 heard on April 21. The par- practice.  tech enthusiasts gives a glimpse of the extraordinary potential of AI, Indian talent and innovation. Together, we will shape solutions not just for India but for the world,” said Modi. In a separate social media post, Modi said the event, which will be attended by OpenAI founder Sam Altman, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and others, is themed “Sarvajana Hitaya” (happiness for all), reflecting a shared commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence for humancentric progress. He welcomed the dignitaries — over 100 government representatives, including more than 20 heads of state and government and 60 ministers and vice ministers — along with more than 500 global AI leaders comprising CEOs, founders, academicians, researchers, CTOs, and representatives of philanthropic organisations. Minister of Electronics and IT (MeitY) Ashwini Vaishnaw said India is engaging with industry stakeholders to identify appropriate technical and legal frameworks to ensure that AI does not infringe upon the copyrights of content creators. During a conversation with US media mo gul Charles Rivkin, the minister said India is also seeking global consensus on the copyright issue. V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor, said AI adoption cannot happen by drift.It requires commitment to aligning tech progress with mass employability . Controversial `80k cr Great Nicobar Project gets NGT green signal RA J E SH K U MAR THAK U R @ New Delhi After a prolonged wait, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday cleared the controversial Great Nicobar Project worth `80,000 crore, after disposing of the challenges against it. A six-member special bench of NGT found no substantial grounds to interfere with the mega infrastructure project, observing that adequate safeguards had been incorporated into its environmental clearance. Conservationists had opposed it, saying it will cause massive ecological damage and threatens tribal communities. The Congress called the NGT clearance “deeply disappointing”. Party leader Sonia Gandhi had warned last year that it poses an existential danger to the island’s indigenous communities and is being insensitively pushed through by the government. “Considering the strategic importance of the project and taking into account the other relevant considerations, we don’t find any good ground to interfere,” NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said during the hearing. The project is expected to boost India’s presence in Indian Ocean Region amid increasing pressures from foreign powers. The project spans 166 sq km and requires the diversion of 130 sq km of forest land. A transshipment port, along with several associated projects such as a dual-use civil and military airport will be built in Great Nicobar Island. Indian team to visit US to fix legal text of the trade deal D i pa k m on d a l @ New Delhi CHIEF negotiator Darpan Jain will lead a delegation to Washington next week to finalise the legal text of the proposed India–US trade agreement, the Commerce Ministry said on Monday . Following the joint statement agreed earlier this month, the framework deal is now being converted into a formal legal agreement, said Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. “The effort is to see that we can finalise and sign the legal agreement in March 2026,” he told reporters when asked about the timeline. On the proposed reduction in the reciprocal tariff from 25% to 18%, Agrawal said the US is processing the matter and that India expects it to be completed soon. “Our expectation is that it should be done this week. If not, the team will be there next week and we can pursue the matter and understand why it is taking time,” he said. The US has already removed the 25% additional tariff imposed after India agreed not to buy crude from Russia. However, the 25% reciprocal tariff has not yet been reduced to 18%, as agreed by both sides. Overall, the US imposed an additional 50% tariff on Indian goods -- 25% as a reciprocal tariff and another 25% linked to India’s oil purchase from Russia. Agrawal said most favoured nation (MFN) tariffs remain unchanged,meaning the effective tariff on Indian goods will be 18% plus MFN rates. At 2.58 cr, tourist arrival hits new peak in Kerala E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @Kozhikode warm & cordial Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday. They had a discussion on a broad spectrum of social, humanitarian, educational, and developmental matters. Kanthapuram also conveyed to the PM concerns related to Waqf, SIR, and protection of historic mosques and Islamic heritage monuments | X | P4 Kerala’s tourism has hit a new high, with the highest-ever footfall recorded in 2025. Over 2.58 crore tourists — foreign and domestic — visited the state last year, recording an increase of over 12.5% compared to 2024. “The state has entered a phase of consecutive recordbreaking growth in tourist arrivals,” Tourism Minister P A M o h a m e d R i ya s s a i d o n Monday . According to official figures, a total of 2,58,80,365 tourists visited the state last year, surpassing the record set in 2024 when the footfall was 2,29,85,363. The most significant growth was recorded in domestic tourist arrivals. In 2025, Kerala welcomed 2,50,58,366 domestic tourists, up from 2,22,46,989 the previous year — marking a 12.6% year-on-year increase. footfall surges 12.5% rise in tourist footfall in 2025 compared to previous year 2.5 cr domestic tourists last year 8.22 lakh foreign tourists Compared to pre-Covid levels, domestic tourist arrivals have surged by 36.3%. The minister said this is an indication of a strong recovery and renewed interest in Kerala as a preferred travel destination. Among the districts, Idukki emerged as the top choice of domestic tourists, receiving 46,79,800 visitors in 2025. This was followed by Ernakulam (44,29,899), Thiruvananthapuram (43,75,846), Thrissur (31,24,696), Wayanad (14,73,710) and Kozhikode ● More on P4 (14,69,253).  driven by passion British duo on world tour roar into Kerala in vintage Bentleys L a k s h m i At h i r a @ Kalpetta Today’s Matches SC deadline puts state govt in a fix ahead of elections S U CHITRA KA LYA N M O HA N T Y Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Long queues, packed sessions on Day One Sabarimala women’s entry After traversing four continents in century-old machines, two British motoring enthusiasts have now steered their extraordinary jour ney into Kerala. Robert, 63, and John, 72, lifelong friends from London, are drawing crowds across the state with their prized 1926 Bentley tourer cars. The gleaming classics are not merely vehicles but living artefacts of automotive history, now roaring through India as part of an ambitious world tour. The duo drove across the Americas, Europe, and Australia before beginning the Asian leg of their expedition. Refusing to let either age, logistics, or engineering intimidate them, they shipped their vintage cars from London to Mumbai to open the Indian chapter of their adventure. Mumbai, the cars rolled along the coastal highways of Goa, climbed the mist-covered roads of Chikmagalur, passed through the forested stretches of Kabini and eventually reached the lush hills of Waya- nad, where the sight of the polished chrome machines has left onlookers spellbound. Robert is driving a 6.5-litre Bentley he purchased 15 years ago. He says it is his passion for vintage automobiles that fuels the journey . “What I have is a 100-year-old Bentley I bought it 15 years ago, . and since then we have driven these historical pieces across North America, including Canada and Alaska. In South America, we travelled through Ecuador, Chile and Bolivia. The cars were later shipped to Australia, Robert and John with their 1926 Bentley cars at Thalappuzha in Wayanad where we explored the country . Our latest adventure began in Mumbai after shipping the ve- hicles from London. From there, we drove through Goa and Karnataka, before reach- ing Wayanad,” Robert said. They stayed at the Parisons Estate in Thalappuzha near Mananthavady over the weekend. Resort manager Binoy said the duo were delighted by the warm hospitality and Kerala cuisine. “We were amazed by the vehicles. It is hard to describe the excitement we had hearing their journey across four continents in such historic cars. We arranged visits to nearby tourist destinations, and we even had the chance to enjoy a ride in one of the vintage Bentleys,” ● More on P4 Binoy said.