UNESCO Tentative List adds three Indian sites — Karst-Mud, Andaman volcanoes, Sirpur ruins

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Sridhar P

Baratang’s limestone caves, volcanic islands and Chhattisgarh’s archaeological landscape enter preliminary heritage process, opening a new chapter for conservation

India’s natural and archaeological heritage has gained international attention with three sites added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, bringing geological formations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and an ancient cultural landscape in Chhattisgarh into the preliminary pipeline for possible World Heritage recognition.

The additions, announced on October 20 by India’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris, are the Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex of Baratang, the Andaman Subduction Volcanoes and the Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape. The three sites represent distinct dimensions of India’s heritage, from active geological processes and limestone formations to centuries-old religious architecture and urban settlement.

The inclusion is an initial step, not a final UNESCO World Heritage designation. The Tentative List identifies sites a country may consider nominating for inscription on the World Heritage List, subject to further evaluation and the applicable nomination process.

Three sites, three distinct heritage stories

Baratang: limestone caves and mud volcanoes

Located in the Andaman Islands, the Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex of Baratang combines limestone caves with active mud volcanoes in a landscape shaped by geological processes.

The proposed property covers 299.57 square kilometres, while the limestone cave area identified in the UNESCO description covers approximately one square kilometre. The caves, locally known as Jalki, are embedded in a wider landscape of tropical forests and coastal ecosystems.

The site’s significance extends beyond its geological formations. Its surrounding ecosystems contribute to regional biodiversity, while the combination of caves and mud volcanism gives the area scientific and conservation value.

The Geological Survey of India identified Baratang’s mud volcano as a Geo-Heritage Site in 2025, adding to the area’s existing scientific importance.

The challenge ahead will be to balance conservation with tourism. Increased visibility could create economic opportunities for local communities, but visitor management and environmental protection will be important if interest in the site grows.

Andaman Subduction Volcanoes: Barren Island and Narcondam

The second addition focuses on the Andaman Subduction Volcanoes, associated with Barren Island and Narcondam Island in the Andaman Sea.

Barren Island is known for its volcanic activity, while Narcondam rises steeply from deep water and is characterised by forested slopes, rocky coastlines and caverns. UNESCO’s description places Narcondam’s summit at approximately 710 metres above sea level.

The proposed heritage property covers the landmasses of the two volcanic islands. Their geological significance lies in the processes associated with subduction, in which one tectonic plate moves beneath another and contributes to volcanic activity.

Both islands are protected areas, and entry requires permission from wildlife authorities. Their ecological sensitivity means that any future tourism or research activity would need to respect existing conservation restrictions.

The tentative-list inclusion gives the islands greater visibility as geological and natural heritage assets, but it does not automatically alter their protected status or open them to visitors.

Sirpur: an ancient cultural and archaeological landscape

Unlike the two geological sites, the Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape in Chhattisgarh represents India’s architectural, religious and urban history.

Situated in Mahasamund district along the Mahanadi River, Sirpur is approximately 78 kilometres from Raipur. Its archaeological remains include structures dating from the fifth to the 12th century CE.

The landscape contains temples and other architectural remains associated with different religious traditions. These include Vishnu and Shiva temple complexes, the Rajmahal Complex, the Gandheshwar Temple and the Bateshwar group of monuments.

Sirpur’s importance lies in the relationship between religious life, commerce and settlement. Its development as a spiritual centre also brought together cultural and economic activity, creating a layered archaeological landscape rather than a single isolated monument.

The proposed site’s broader setting is therefore central to its significance. Protecting individual structures is important, but understanding their relationship to the settlement and its historical development is equally necessary.

What tentative-list inclusion means for India

India already has 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, comprising 37 cultural properties, seven natural properties and one mixed property, according to the report announcing the latest additions. The three new entries expand the range of Indian locations being considered for potential international recognition.

However, inclusion on the Tentative List should not be confused with inscription on the final World Heritage List. A tentative listing does not itself confer World Heritage status, guarantee future approval or replace domestic conservation requirements.

The next stages would involve preparing and pursuing nominations under UNESCO’s World Heritage framework, supported by documentation of each property’s significance, boundaries, conservation arrangements and management plans.

For Baratang and the volcanic islands, the emphasis will include geological integrity, ecological protection and the management of sensitive natural environments. For Sirpur, documenting the archaeological landscape and protecting the relationships between its monuments and historical settlement will be central considerations.

The additions also highlight the different responsibilities involved in preserving natural and cultural heritage. Geological formations cannot be conserved in isolation from the processes that shape them, while archaeological landscapes require attention to both physical remains and their historical context.

For local administrations and communities, international recognition could eventually support heritage awareness and responsible tourism. But the immediate significance of the announcement is that the three properties have entered a preliminary stage in a process that requires further work before any final designation.

The latest additions place India’s volcanic landscapes, limestone caves and ancient archaeological remains on a wider international heritage radar. Whether they ultimately secure World Heritage status will depend on the strength of their nominations and the ability to demonstrate their significance, protection and long-term conservation.

FAQs

1. Which three Indian sites have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List?

The Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex of Baratang, the Andaman Subduction Volcanoes and the Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape in Chhattisgarh.

2. Have the three sites received UNESCO World Heritage status?

No. They have entered the Tentative List, a preliminary stage before a country can pursue formal World Heritage nomination.

3. Why is Baratang significant?

Baratang combines limestone caves, active mud volcanoes and surrounding tropical forest and coastal ecosystems.

4. Which islands are included in the Andaman Subduction Volcanoes proposal?

The proposal covers Barren Island and Narcondam Island in the Andaman Sea.

5. What makes Sirpur historically important?

Sirpur contains archaeological and architectural remains dating from the fifth to the 12th century CE, reflecting religious, cultural and economic activity along the Mahanadi River.

‘Who are they blackmailing?’ Rahul Gandhi targets BJP-RSS over Epstein-Puri picture

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Sridhar P

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday targeted the BJP and the RSS over a purported photograph of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, raising a provocative question about possible blackmail while referring to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India.

“Rubio goes to Mumbai. The US DOJ releases a picture of Epstein and Puri. Dear BJP and RSS workers, which anti-national traitor do you think they’re blackmailing?” Gandhi wrote in a post on X.

Rahul Gandhi juxtaposed Rubio’s visit with the reported release of the photograph, drawing attention to the timing of the two developments. His post did not explicitly mention the India-US trade deal, nor did it provide evidence linking the photograph to ongoing bilateral negotiations.

The controversy erupted after a purported photograph of Puri with Epstein circulated on social media, prompting opposition leaders to question their alleged interactions. The photograph’s circulation and the subsequent political statements, however, do not independently establish wrongdoing by Puri or any connection between the matter and trade negotiations.

Congress leader Srinivas B.V. had earlier drawn a more explicit connection between the photograph, Rubio’s Mumbai visit and discussions surrounding the India-US trade deal. He suggested a possible link between the developments, but no evidence cited in the political exchanges substantiated that claim.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday questioned Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri over his reported interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, asking whether the minister had carried a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their alleged meeting.

Reacting to a purported photograph of Puri and Epstein circulating on social media, Raut claimed the controversy was being discussed nationwide and suggested that further revelations could follow.

In a post on X, Raut wrote: “Modiji, one minister Hardeep Puri is meeting Jeffrey Epstein alone? Whose message is he carrying in the meeting? This is the beginning, Watch ahead to see what’s about to happen? @RSSorg regime change will happen! Jai Hind!”

Speaking to reporters, Raut challenged Puri’s previous statements about his interactions with Epstein, referring to photographs that he claimed showed the two together. He questioned the circumstances of their alleged meetings and whether Puri had represented the Prime Minister, but offered no evidence in the remarks cited to substantiate that insinuation.

Congress, CJP question Puri

Congress leader Srinivas B.V. also questioned the timing of the photograph’s circulation, linking it to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit to Mumbai and the ongoing India-US trade discussions.

In a post on X, Srinivas wrote: “Yesterday, the US Secretary of State landed in ‘Mumbai’, and right at that very moment, pictures of Hardeep ‘Epstein’ Puri emerged from the US Justice Department’s files, Could there be some VIDEO coming out too to settle the technicalities of the US Trade Deal…?”

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke separately challenged Puri’s earlier account of his interactions with Epstein. Sharing a purported photograph of the two, Dipke asked on X: “Didn’t Puri claim that he never had a personal meeting with Epstein?”

The latest criticism follows Puri’s response in February to allegations raised by Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi concerning the Epstein files. Puri had rejected claims linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the files, describing them as baseless.

Puri had also said that he met Epstein four times over nine years, between 2009 and 2017, after moving to New York. He explained that the interactions took place in the context of his work with the International Peace Institute (IPI), including an initiative examining the United Nations’ effectiveness ahead of its 75th anniversary.

“I had no independent meetings with Epstein,” Puri had said, adding that the allegations against Epstein involved sexual exploitation, paedophilia and other wrongdoing with which he said he had no connection.

The opposition’s latest questions have renewed scrutiny of Puri’s account of those interactions. However, the circulation of a photograph or the fact of contact with Epstein does not, by itself, establish criminal wrongdoing or substantiate allegations of political involvement.

BJP’s counterattack on Rahul Gandhi citing Soros

The BJP, meanwhile, mounted a counterattack against Gandhi over his reported visit to Vietnam.

BJP leader Sambit Patra accused the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha of attempting regime change in India, alleging that Gandhi was travelling abroad to receive coaching from financier George Soros on how to destabilise the country.

Speaking in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, Patra made the allegations following reports that Gandhi had left India for a four-day private trip to Vietnam. The remarks came amid continuing political tensions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The exchange has opened another front in the Congress-BJP confrontation, with Gandhi questioning the circumstances surrounding the purported Epstein-Puri photograph while the BJP seeks to shift the focus to his overseas visit and alleged links to efforts to destabilise the government.

Neither the blackmail insinuation nor Patra’s allegations of regime-change efforts were substantiated by evidence in the statements cited.

President Murmu Presents Lalit Kala Akademi Awards to Artists in New Delhi

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Shelton Rozario

President Droupadi Murmu presented the Lalit Kala Akademi awards to selected artists participating in the 65th National Exhibition of Art in New Delhi on October 21, 2026. She also felicitated the Grand Prize winners and Honourable Mentions of the 3rd Print Biennale India 2026, recognising artistic contributions across different forms and mediums.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President described the occasion as a celebration of India’s artistic heritage, cultural diversity and contemporary creativity. She highlighted the importance of preserving the country’s diverse artistic traditions while encouraging creative expression that reflects changing times and society.

The President emphasised that art extends beyond paintings, sculptures and other physical works. According to her, artistic expression reflects cultural identity, collective memories, present-day experiences and aspirations for the future. She also called for greater opportunities for traditional artists in remote areas, particularly through training in new technologies and contemporary art techniques.

Murmu Calls for Greater Support for Young and Traditional Artists

Addressing the gathering, President Murmu highlighted the role of art in helping people understand society and their times from fresh perspectives. She said artistic expression is not restricted to particular forms or mediums but reflects the culture and experiences of the communities that produce it.

The President stressed the importance of equipping traditional artists, especially those living in remote areas, with training in new technologies and contemporary art techniques. Such opportunities, she said, would help them showcase their skills and participate in competitions on a wider platform.

She also urged stakeholders to create more opportunities for young and emerging artists to develop their talent, experiment with new mediums and expand their creative potential.

“Let us provide ample opportunities to young and emerging artists to develop their talent, explore new mediums, and expand their creative potential,” the President said.

Her remarks underscored the need to support both established artistic traditions and new forms of creative expression. By expanding access to training and opportunities, artists from different backgrounds could gain greater visibility and participate more widely in the art world.

President Highlights Financial Support and Wider Access to Art

President Murmu also drew attention to the practical challenges artists face in sustaining their work. She said artists today require more than opportunities to create. They also need financial support, access to broader markets and connections with art collectors.

The President welcomed efforts by the Lalit Kala Akademi and the Ministry of Culture to encourage the sale of artworks. Such initiatives can help artists reach potential buyers and create opportunities to earn from their creative work.

She further emphasised that art should not remain confined to galleries. Instead, it should reach schools, universities, public spaces and wider sections of society, allowing more people to engage with artistic expression.

Her remarks highlighted the importance of making art accessible beyond established cultural institutions while creating conditions that enable artists to sustain their careers.

The award ceremony brought together the recognition of artistic achievement and a broader call to strengthen opportunities for creators across India. Through her address, President Murmu emphasised the need to preserve the country’s diverse artistic heritage, support traditional artists through access to contemporary techniques, and help young talent explore new forms of expression.

She also reiterated the importance of connecting artists with financial resources and wider audiences, while ensuring that art reaches people across educational institutions and public spaces. The message was clear: supporting India’s artistic community requires both opportunities for creative development and practical measures that help artists share their work with society.

Google Cloud Outage Disrupts UK Banks, Public Services, EMEA Region Worst Hit

Bhagwant Mann’s airport detention claim revives Centre-state row over France visit

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Sridhar P

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Centre of targeting Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann after alleging that he was made to wait for nearly three hours at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport following his return from Paris and subsequently issued a ₹50,000 challan.

The allegation, made by AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu on October 20, has triggered a fresh political confrontation over Mann’s official visit to France, which had already become contentious after the Union government denied political clearance for the trip. AAP has alleged that the airport episode was intended to humiliate the chief minister, although the specific grounds for the challan have not been established in the available reports.

The controversy follows a significant legal setback for the Centre, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court setting aside the refusal to grant political clearance for Mann’s visit and questioning the government’s failure to explain the “political angle” it had cited.

Airport allegation raises questions over challan

According to AAP, Mann was kept waiting at the Delhi airport while officials repeatedly cited the arrival and checking of his luggage. He alleged that officials approached the chief minister again as he was preparing to leave, claiming they were under “tremendous pressure from above”, before issuing the challan.

AAP has not publicly specified the precise grounds on which the ₹50,000 penalty was imposed. The party’s account of the alleged detention, the explanation attributed to officials and its claim of pressure from above have not been independently established.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia offered a different account, claiming that Mann and his wife, Gurpreet Kaur, were questioned by Customs officials over suspected excess luggage or money beyond permitted limits. Majithia also alleged that the baggage of staff accompanying the chief minister’s office was to be checked. These claims, too, require confirmation from the authorities concerned.

The competing accounts leave key questions unanswered: which agency issued the challan, what rule was allegedly violated, what material prompted the action and whether the reported delay was connected to a routine Customs examination or any other official process.

AAP has framed the incident as part of a wider pattern of obstacles to Mann’s overseas engagements. The party has linked the airport allegation to previous denials of political clearance for his foreign visits and accused the BJP-led government of obstructing Punjab’s efforts to attract investment.

High Court had questioned Centre’s refusal

The airport controversy has its roots in the dispute over Mann’s proposed visit to Paris from October 17 to 21 to promote Punjab’s products and participate in SIAL Paris 2026, an international food and beverage trade exhibition.

The Punjab government had applied for political clearance through the Ministry of External Affairs’ online system on September 9. The Centre denied clearance on October 12, prompting the state government to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

In its ruling, the High Court questioned the government’s reliance on an unspecified “political angle” to justify the refusal. Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya observed that the ministry had not explained what that political consideration was or how it justified denying the application.

The court also rejected the stated objections concerning the invitation and Mann’s functional role in the proposed visit. It noted that the exhibition organiser, SIAL, had communicated with the French Embassy and welcomed Mann’s participation, describing the visit as an opportunity to establish professional contacts and negotiate contracts.

The court further held that reasons subsequently supplied in an affidavit could not be used to justify the original decision if those reasons had not formed part of the decision itself. The Union government, meanwhile, had cited considerations including bilateral relations, the diplomatic climate, security and the political situation in the host country.

The state government maintained that the refusal was arbitrary and had been communicated at the last minute. The court allowed the delegation’s visit and directed that due protocol be followed.

The latest airport allegations have therefore reopened a broader question about the relationship between political clearance for official foreign travel and the treatment of an elected state chief minister by central authorities. Establishing the facts surrounding the challan will be essential to determining whether the episode involved a routine enforcement action or supports the political allegations being made by AAP.

An official explanation from the authorities responsible for the airport action, including the legal basis for the penalty, would help resolve the central factual dispute. Until then, the alleged detention and its political interpretation remain claims that must be distinguished from the High Court’s documented findings on the separate clearance dispute.

FAQs

Why did AAP allege that Bhagwant Mann was detained at Delhi airport?

AAP claimed that Mann was made to wait for nearly three hours after returning from Paris and was subsequently issued a ₹50,000 challan. The party alleged political pressure but did not specify the formal grounds for the penalty.

Why did the Punjab and Haryana High Court allow Mann’s France visit?

The court questioned the Centre’s failure to explain the “political angle” cited in refusing clearance and rejected key reasons subsequently advanced to defend the decision.

What was the purpose of Mann’s Paris visit?

Mann led a Punjab delegation to promote the state’s products and support the participation of the Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation (Markfed) in SIAL Paris 2026, held from October 17 to 21.

Google Cloud Outage Disrupts UK Banks, Public Services, EMEA Region Worst Hit

Posted on October 20, 2026 by Sridhar P

A rare disruption at Google Cloud’s London data-centre region affected banking apps, financial services and public-sector systems in the UK on Tuesday, October 20, after a power-related incident triggered network failures across multiple cloud services.

The outage affected Google’s europe-west2 region, which primarily serves customers in the UK and Ireland. Revolut, Halifax and ING Germany reported service problems, while users also experienced issues with some services operated by Lloyds Bank and HSBC. Britain’s court video-hearing system was also disrupted.

Google said the power event had been mitigated and that services were beginning to recover. However, the company warned that some customers might still be unable to create new workloads while recovery continued.

The incident highlighted the dependence of banking, government and commercial services on cloud infrastructure operated by a small number of technology companies.

Revolut, Halifax and Other Services Report Problems

Revolut experienced disruption affecting several services, including card payments and ATM withdrawals, according to Reuters. The digital bank reassured customers that their funds and personal data remained safe.

“We can confirm that all our customers’ money and data are safe,” Revolut said in a statement posted on X.

ING Germany reported problems with online banking logins and its mobile application. Halifax, part of Lloyds Banking Group, also acknowledged difficulties affecting some customers.

Lloyds said its application remained operational and customers could log in normally, although some online services were experiencing problems. Downdetector, which aggregates user-submitted outage reports, recorded complaints involving HSBC, Bank of Scotland, property website Rightmove, delivery company DPD, NHS England and Royal Mail.

The extent of the disruption varied across services. Reports on outage-tracking platforms indicate user experiences but do not, by themselves, establish that every reported problem was caused by the same incident.

The disruption also affected Britain’s Cloud Video Platform, used for remote court hearings across England and Wales. The Press Association reported that the system was unavailable during the morning, leaving some hearings delayed or unable to proceed as scheduled.

Google’s regional status information identified elevated errors and intermittent network failures across multiple services in europe-west2. The company did not immediately provide a detailed explanation of the underlying technical failure beyond identifying a power event.

Google Says Power Event Has Been Mitigated

Google said the power event had been contained and that its teams were prioritising the restoration of existing workloads. Its service update indicated that recovery was under way, although some functions could remain unavailable during the process.

The company also advised affected customers to consider moving workloads to another available zone or region where feasible. Such a workaround depends on whether customers have the infrastructure and technical arrangements needed to shift operations.

The outage has renewed concerns about the concentration of essential digital services on a small number of cloud providers. Banks, public agencies and businesses increasingly rely on external infrastructure for applications, data storage, authentication and payment processing.

A failure in one cloud region can affect services beyond the immediate location when businesses depend on the same infrastructure or connected systems. The resulting disruption can extend to organisations that do not operate their own data centres.

The UK designated Google Cloud EMEA Limited and three other technology companies as critical third-party suppliers to the financial sector in July, bringing them under direct regulatory oversight. EU regulators have also identified major technology providers on which the financial industry depends.

The latest incident underscores the importance of backup systems, alternative cloud regions and tested recovery plans for organisations providing essential services. Google’s statement that the power event had been mitigated marked a step towards restoration, but full recovery depended on the affected services and customer workloads returning to normal.

Four in Five Parents Say Having a Baby Is Too Expensive

Posted on October 20, 2026 by Shelton Rozario

Having a baby brings significant changes to family life, but the financial burden of raising young children is becoming increasingly difficult for many American households. Four in five parents say having a baby costs too much, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

The poll found that families with children aged three and younger face particular financial difficulties. Two in five parents in this group described their household finances as “struggling” or “just getting by.” Expenses related to childcare, diapers, safe car seats and nutritious food were among the major concerns.

Although nearly all parents surveyed recognised the importance of early childhood development for long-term health, many said they had to stretch their budgets to meet their children’s needs. Some worked additional hours, reduced spending on non-essential items or relied on secondhand baby clothes and equipment.

“Parents understand how important the first years of life are for a child’s health and development, but knowing what a child needs and being able to afford it are two different things,” said Mott Poll Co-Director Sarah Clark, M.P.H.

“These findings point to a difficult balancing act for families during a critical period of child development, when parents feel they’re choosing between meeting their child’s basic needs and covering the rest of their household expenses.”

Parents support policies to reduce the cost of raising babies

The poll surveyed a national sample of parents with children aged zero to 18 in July to examine the financial demands of raising young children and attitudes towards support programmes.

Paid leave during pregnancy or the newborn period received the strongest backing, with nearly three in four parents saying they would strongly support such a programme in their state. Six in 10 strongly supported programmes providing infant formula or healthy food, while more than half favoured free or reduced-cost childcare, free car seats and diaper assistance.

Parents of children aged three and younger were more likely than those with older children to strongly support these initiatives. They were also more likely to favour making assistance available to all families rather than restricting it to households that demonstrate financial need.

Clark said navigating support spread across multiple organisations and programmes could make it difficult for parents to identify and access the help they require.

“Families’ needs can look very different from one household to the next, and it’s difficult for parents when assistance is spread across many programs or organizations,” Clark said. “Programs that provide direct financial support – such as paid leave – give parents the flexibility to focus on their newborn and make decisions about what their family needs most.”

Financial pressures remain particularly severe for families already struggling to meet household expenses. More than one-third of parents who described their finances as “struggling” or “just getting by” said they worried about money constantly.

These households were more likely than financially comfortable families to cut back on additional purchases, work longer hours or set aside savings in advance. Parents from different financial backgrounds also reported purchasing secondhand baby clothes and equipment to manage costs.

“Parents are using different strategies to deal with the costs of having a baby, but these are not simply optional purchases or extras in a family budget,” Clark said. “Diapers, safe car seats, nutritious food and quality childcare all play a role in a child’s health, safety and development.”

Many parents are unaware of available support programmes

The survey also examined how parents of older children viewed assistance for families raising young children. Half of these respondents said they did not know which programmes provided the help young families needed most.

Community support was already taking place in several forms. Nearly two in five parents of older children reported donating to a local organisation or faith-based programme that assists families with young children during the previous two years. Another one in five said they had helped friends or relatives raising young children.

However, around two in five respondents said they had neither donated to such organisations nor provided this type of assistance.

The findings also revealed differences in attitudes towards public funding. Parents who had not donated were less supportive of using taxpayer money to help families with young children than those who had contributed. Some respondents preferred helping families they knew personally rather than providing assistance to strangers.

Clark said greater awareness of available resources could help communities translate their concern for young children into practical assistance.

“Parents may agree that young children need a strong start in life without knowing which programs can make that possible,” Clark said. “Making resources easier to understand and access, while giving families the flexibility to choose what works best for them, can help turn that shared goal into meaningful support for children.”

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India-New Zealand FTA puts farm losses and cold chains in focus as agricultural imports expand

Posted on October 20, 2026 by Sridhar P

India’s free trade agreement with New Zealand has opened a new phase in agricultural trade, combining preferential access for selected New Zealand products with a cooperation programme intended to improve Indian farmers’ productivity, crop quality and post-harvest management.

The central test is whether the agreement can help India reduce avoidable losses between harvest and sale while strengthening farmers’ ability to compete in domestic and export markets. The agreement provides for agricultural action plans covering apples, kiwifruit and honey, with cooperation on planting material, orchard management, grower training, storage, supply chains and food safety.

At the same time, India has introduced tariff-rate quotas for selected New Zealand products, including apples, kiwifruit and Mānuka honey. These concessions are subject to product-specific conditions, including quantity limits and minimum import prices, rather than providing unrestricted access to the Indian market.

The agreement, which entered into force on October 20, 2026, therefore presents two connected questions: whether Indian farmers can gain access to better production and post-harvest technology, and whether the domestic supply chain can become more efficient as imported products enter under preferential conditions.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the agreement combines agricultural opportunities with safeguards for domestic producers.

“The Agricultural Productivity Partnership, with action plans for apples, kiwifruit and honey, establishment of Centres of Excellence, promote better orchard management, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve agricultural productivity, supporting stronger farm incomes across the country,” Goyal said in a Commerce Ministry statement on October 19. <Cite refs={[“turn919301search0”]}/>

Agricultural cooperation must deliver measurable results

The India-New Zealand Agricultural Productivity Partnership is intended to move cooperation beyond tariff reductions by bringing technical knowledge and agricultural practices to Indian growers.

The action plans cover three sectors: apples, kiwifruit and honey. The proposed interventions include improved planting material, capacity building, collaborative research, technical assistance for orchard management, post-harvest practices, supply-chain performance and food safety.

The government has identified Phase I sites for kiwifruit Centres of Excellence at Pfutsero in Nagaland and Magra in Uttarakhand. Apple and honey initiatives are also envisaged under the wider programme, although their proposed or planned status should not be confused with fully operational facilities.

The challenge is to establish how these interventions will reach farmers and what results they are expected to produce.

For apple growers, better orchard management, grading, storage and handling could improve the proportion of harvested fruit that reaches markets in saleable condition. For kiwifruit producers, access to suitable planting material and technical support could help improve cultivation and quality. In honey production, better practices and quality controls could help producers meet market requirements.

But establishing a training centre or distributing improved planting material is an intermediate step, not proof of higher farm incomes. The impact must be assessed through changes in yields, quality grades, rejection rates, post-harvest losses and prices received by farmers.

India’s horticultural supply chain includes growers, aggregators, commission agents, transporters, cold-storage operators, wholesalers and retailers. Losses or inefficiencies can occur at several points, from harvesting and packaging to transportation, storage and marketing. Better farm practices alone cannot address problems caused by inadequate storage, poor handling or weak access to buyers.

The programme’s effectiveness will therefore depend on coordination between agricultural research institutions, state horticulture departments, private businesses and farmer organisations.

A key question is whether smaller growers will be able to access the technology and infrastructure being promoted. Farmers with limited capital may struggle to invest in improved packaging, storage or modern cultivation methods without affordable finance, technical support and reliable market links.

The government should establish clear baselines and publish periodic results on the number of farmers reached, the area covered, improvements in productivity and the reduction in losses. Without comparable data before and after implementation, the impact of the partnership will be difficult to measure.

Import concessions raise the stakes for India’s food supply chain

The productivity initiative is taking place alongside changes in India’s agricultural import regime.

Under the FTA’s tariff schedule, eligible New Zealand apples can enter India at a concessional customs duty of 25% within a specified annual quota, compared with the prevailing 50% duty. The arrangement includes a minimum cost, insurance and freight value of US$1.25 per kg and a seasonal import window from April 1 to August 31. Imports outside the quota remain subject to the applicable most-favoured-nation duty.

The agreement’s tariff schedule provides for the apple quota to rise from 32,500 tonnes in the first year to 35,000 tonnes in the second year, followed by 37,500 tonnes in the third year and 40,000 tonnes in the fourth year. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade’s October 17 implementation notice, however, specifies no quota for the remainder of 2026 and 35,000 tonnes for the following year. The operational schedule should therefore be read alongside the agreement’s commencement date and the applicable notification.

India imported approximately 519,652 tonnes of apples from all countries, valued at US$424.6 million, in the reference period cited by the Commerce Ministry. New Zealand accounted for approximately 31,393 tonnes, valued at US$32.4 million.

These figures establish that New Zealand is an existing supplier, but they do not show how much additional fruit will enter India under the new concession or what effect it will have on domestic prices.

Lower import duties can reduce the landed cost of eligible shipments, but the final retail price also depends on freight, currency movements, storage, distribution costs and margins. Nor does the tariff concession guarantee that the entire quota will be used.

For Indian apple growers, the implications will depend on the volume and timing of imports, domestic harvest conditions, product quality and the prices paid by wholesalers. The effect could vary between regions and seasons.

The government has retained protections for sensitive agricultural sectors, while the selected fruit and honey concessions are managed through quotas, minimum-price requirements and seasonal conditions. It has also linked the selected products’ market access to agricultural productivity action plans and oversight through a Joint Agriculture Productivity Council.

This creates an implementation challenge for both governments: market access and agricultural cooperation must be tracked separately, even as their effects interact. The quota system can regulate the quantity entering under preferential terms, but it cannot by itself improve Indian storage capacity, reduce transport losses or raise farm-gate prices.

The FTA’s food-supply-chain test will ultimately be whether the agricultural partnership delivers practical improvements that farmers can use and whether those gains are reflected in measurable outcomes.

The relevant indicators are straightforward: operational Centres of Excellence, growers trained, adoption of improved practices, post-harvest loss rates, crop quality, farm-gate prices and access to markets. Import data and domestic price movements will also be needed to assess the effect of the concessions.

The agreement creates a framework for agricultural cooperation, but its success will depend on implementation rather than announcements. If the technology and supply-chain measures produce measurable results, Indian farmers could gain from improved productivity and quality. If implementation remains limited to plans and training programmes without measurable changes on farms, the promised gains will remain unproven.

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Applications Open for 2027 SLAS Graduate Fellowship Grant Until November 9

Posted on October 16, 2026 by Shelton Rozario

The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS), based in Oak Brook, Illinois, is inviting applications for its 2027 Graduate Education Fellowship Grant. The programme continues the organisation’s decade-long effort to support emerging scientists by funding innovative graduate-level research. It offers up to $100,000 over two years to graduate students conducting research in life sciences, including quantitative biosciences, drug discovery and laboratory technology.

Established in 2015, the fellowship supports SLAS’s mission to advance laboratory science and technology by giving graduate researchers the resources and flexibility to pursue meaningful scientific discoveries. As uncertainty surrounding future research funding continues to affect the scientific community, the programme remains a valuable source of financial support for early-career researchers.

Grant Funding and Eligibility Criteria

SLAS will award one fellowship to an eligible educational institution on behalf of a selected graduate student. The grant provides up to $50,000 annually for a maximum of two years. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate degree programme related to high-throughput screening, quantitative biosciences or drug discovery.

Applications are evaluated based on the quality and originality of the research, its relevance to laboratory automation and screening, and the institution’s ability to support the student’s work.

Past recipient Benjamin David of the University of Michigan highlighted the flexibility the fellowship provided throughout his research journey.

“As I progress through this project, if I find an interesting aspect of the research, I have the freedom to pause and explore that new area. That wouldn’t be possible with other types of grants tied to specific work.”

Application Deadline and Who Can Apply

Applications are due Monday, November 9, 2026.

Graduate students, faculty members and educational institutions are encouraged to share this opportunity and apply.

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Why Workers Show Worst Workplace Behavior Fearing AI Replacement

Posted on October 16, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Workers who fear artificial intelligence is threatening their occupation are more likely to slack off on the job, swipe a co-worker’s lunch or engage in other counterproductive workplace behavior, a new study finds.

This is especially true in occupations where AI is likely to have the greatest impact.

The study, led by Washington State University researchers and published in the journal Occupational Health Science, evaluated the effects of looming AI adoption on worker attitudes and behaviors across 18 industries.

The findings suggest that concerns over AI can harm workers and businesses, and employers should pay attention to how they discuss and implement the technology in order to keep employees engaged and supported.

“Counterproductive workplace behaviors are harmful to the interpersonal relationships within an organization,” said Tahira M. Probst, a professor of psychology at WSU Vancouver and lead author of the study. “If you’re not showing up, that puts more work on your co-workers. If you’re doing things that impact your ability or your co-workers’ ability to get their work done properly, or if you’re wasting organizational resources, there’s a lot of potential harm to an organization, not just to the bottom line, but to the effective functioning of the organization.”

Research has shown that as the use of AI-based technologies such as intelligent robotics, automated systems and algorithmic management increases, workers may feel insecure about their jobs. The resulting stress can lead to burnout, reduced job satisfaction and engagement, and worse physical and mental health.

Probst and her co-authors wanted to examine a broader concern: what happens when AI-related concerns make workers worry that their entire occupation will become obsolete?

“If you’re a bartender and the bar that you’re working for goes under, you can get another job as a bartender somewhere else,” Probst said. “That profession is not going away. That’s not necessarily the case with occupations that are affected by AI. If you’re in a profession like medical transcriptionists, for example, where a lot of that coding and transcription can now be fully automated, that’s not something where if you are let go, you can just go find work in another organization.”

The researchers examined the effects of that occupation insecurity and industry-level AI exposure — the potential that AI could displace tasks — on two outcomes: moral disengagement and counterproductive workplace behaviors. They used an existing, objective database of AI exposure, the AI Industry Exposure index, to identify which industries were facing the most potential disruption from AI, and surveyed workers across a variety of industries about their attitudes and behaviors. Workers in finance and insurance had some of the highest levels of exposure, while those in agriculture and forestry had the least.

Overall, workers who were worried about the future of their occupation were more likely to morally disengage at work, meaning they were more likely to justify behaviors they would normally consider inappropriate. In turn, those employees self-reported more counterproductive behaviors such as surfing the web or coming in late for a shift.

“Moral disengagement is basically a way of justifying bad behavior,” Probst said. “We know what’s right and wrong. We know what organizational policies say we can and can’t do. Moral disengagement is a way of reframing that behavior as something that is acceptable.”

Those effects, however, were less pronounced in industries expected to face fewer future AI changes, such as forestry and construction, but were magnified in industries such as insurance and finance that are more heavily exposed to AI disruption.

The study’s authors argue that when employees feel their occupation is at risk, they may come to view workplace norms and expectations differently, rationalizing behaviors such as cutting corners or undermining others as necessary to protect themselves or to compensate for perceived injustice.

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Reversing age by reprogramming gene expression networks

Posted on October 16, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Every organ and tissue progressively loses function and integrity as it ages. In fact, researchers have identified “hallmarks of aging” that not only present specific processes impacted by age, but are also thought of as levers that, if successfully targeted, could help turn back the aging clock and result in tissue rejuvenation.

In 2006, Shinya Yamanaka’s Nobel prize-winning discovery that the over-expression of four genes, the “Yamanaka factors,” can reprogram most mature cell types back to an undifferentiated, pluripotent ground state was a milestone in aging research. Interestingly, when expressed only in short bursts, the Yamanaka factors can also partially reprogram old cells back to a more youthful state, reversing multiple hallmarks of aging while maintaining their specialized functions. This and other insights showed that aging does not need to be a one-way street and that aging cells retain a latent capacity for rejuvenation.

Unfortunately, the therapeutic use of Yamanaka factors is causing concern for some researchers because their overexpression also raises the risk of cancer formation. Researchers have therefore been hunting other factors for rejuvenating aging tissues in safer and more controllable ways. However, “in reprogramming, there is a fundamental tradeoff between rejuvenation and cell identity; achieving one without losing the other requires walking a fine line,” said Alex Plesa, Ph.D., the first co-author on a study presenting a new potential avenue to solving this challenge.

In the study, which was led by George Church, Ph.D., Core Faculty member Wyss Institute at Harvard University and spearheaded by Wyss Institute Scientist Plesa, in collaboration with the computational biology group of Antonio del Sol, Ph.D. at CIC bioGUNE-BRTA, the Basque Research and Technology Alliance in Spain, the team first developed a novel age predictor. Specifically, they designed a machine learning algorithm trained on gene expression (transcriptomic) profiles across multiple aging processes in human skin fibroblast cells spanning a wide age range. This predictor accurately pinpointed the “transcriptomic age” of skin cells obtained from several donors.

Leveraging this age predictor as a scorable readout then enabled the team to screen a focused collection of genes that were predicted to affect aging processes in one way or another. The goal was to identify candidates that, when over-expressed, could shift the originally assigned aging score of old fibroblast cell lines to a more youthful score. The top-scoring gene, encoding an RNA processing factor known as SRSF1, was indeed able to reduce features that corresponded to several hallmarks of aging, such as a biological process where damaged cells stop dividing but do not die (cellular senescence), disruptions in the normal balance and turnover of proteins (proteostatic stress), and chronic low-grade inflammation (also dubbed “inflammaging”). Importantly, when delivered to aged mice, where it primarily accumulated in the liver, SRSF1 reduced the animals’ rate of aging and extended their lifespan by 14%, highlighting SRSF1 as a “geroprotective” target. The findings are published in Nature Aging.

“It has been a long-standing goal of my lab to devise clinically useful de-aging strategies by identifying genes that, when engineered in the genome for under or over-expression in aging target tissues, extend human health-span. Our platform and findings on SRSF1 are an important step on that quest,” said Church, who is also Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. “Aging research is transiting an inflection point where the exponential progress of biotech is impacting the core aging processes which would otherwise kill 90% of us.”

Predicting cell age through gene expression

“The most prominently used ‘aging clock,’ the epigenetic aging clock, assesses chemical modifications to the genome that occur with age as one of the hallmarks of aging. But it doesn’t scale well to screening approaches because of high costs and challenges with interpreting its widespread changes,” said Plesa. “The idea of predicting the age of cells based on their gene expression made a lot of sense since every rejuvenation process inevitably has to manifest itself in altered gene expression programs that lead to the recovery of more youthful cell functionalities,” said Plesa.

Following this instinct, Church and Plesa collaborated with del Sol, an Ikerbasque Research Professor, and Sascha Jung, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow and co-first author of the study, to develop a machine learning-driven algorithm that predicts age based on changes in the expression of genes involved in different processes, comparable to odometers for different parts of a car. Integrating the changes across all processes in a transcriptomic aging model provided an accurate overview of cells’ health and age. This novel predictor accurately reported shifts in transcriptomic age in three fibroblast cell lines derived from donors 55, 65, and 79 years of age after the team treated them with different experimental lifespan-changing interventions, including the Yamanaka factors and others.

Envisioning rejuvenating gene therapy

Taking full advantage of their transcriptomic age predictor, the researchers then designed a focused library of genes that were predicted to impact aging and could be over-expressed in aged fibroblast cell lines. “We were working on the premise that over-expressing a single gene with validated rejuvenation outcomes could eventually be advanced into an organ or tissue-specific gene therapy if combined with the right delivery system,” said Plesa.

The team scored all library genes using their novel age predictor and analyzed their effects on specific aging features. Coming out on top of this extensive campaign was a gene encoding the RNA processing factor SRSF1, which shifted multiple aging processes toward more youthful states. These rejuvenation effects registered on the epigenetic aging clock and extended to functional hallmarks, reducing cellular senescence, inflammatory signaling, and proteostatic stress, while restoring DNA repair programs. Importantly, the rejuvenated fibroblasts maintained their identity: they kept their specific spindle-shaped morphology, continued the expression of genes that encode typical fibroblast functions and didn’t induce the pluripotency programs that Yamanaka factors turn on.

From rejuventating cells to rejuvenating a whole organism

Finally, the team wanted to see if the observed rejuvenation effects resulting from SRSF1 over-expression also carried over into a much more complex in vivo system. Very intriguingly, when they packaged the SRSF1 gene in a liver-tropic adeno-associated virus (AAV) and used it to treat mice, they observed liver rejuvenation and systemic benefits: SRSF1-treated animals grew frail more slowly and lived longer, with median lifespan extended by 14% compared to controls.

The most prominent role of SRSF1 is that of an “RNA splicing factor” that helps include protein-coding, so-called alternative exon sequences in a subset of mature messenger RNA molecules (mRNAs). These can then be translated by protein-synthesizing ribosomes into proteins, many of which have altered functions. “We observed a strong trend of alternatively spliced mRNAs, but we are only just starting to understand how these changes bring about the multi-faceted rejuvenation program in tissues,” said Plesa. “It is also very likely that primarily targeting the liver can reverse aging processes in other organs and tissues and that rejuvenation programs can be communicated and thus amplified within the body.”

The authors think that SRSF1 is a promising anti-aging target, since it works through machinery that all cells already use, instead of overriding their identity. Solving delivery and dosing could turn this geroprotective gene into a rejuvenation therapy, and further research into SRSF1’s systemic effects in vivo could uncover new insights, additional targets and viable rejuvenation strategies.

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Three Children, Teacher Killed in Oregon School Shooting; Gun Control Debate Rekindled

Posted on October 16, 2026 by Sridhar P

Three children aged five, eight and 11, and a teacher are killed in a shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, October 15, as a 16-year-old suspect opens fire inside the school before being shot dead by a community member who confronts him, police say.

The attack at Silver Rail Elementary School leaves two other people, including a seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher, critically injured, according to local reporting. The suspected shooter is a 16-year-old resident of Bend. Authorities are investigating how he obtained the firearm and what led to the attack.

Police respond to emergency calls shortly before 1 p.m. local time, initially receiving reports of a gunshot fired into a car before further calls report an active shooter inside the school. Officers arrive within minutes and subsequently learn that the suspect has been shot and killed by a community member who pursued him into the building.

The school, which serves approximately 450 pupils from kindergarten through fifth grade, is placed under lockdown. Authorities escort children by bus to a separate location where parents can reunite with them. Bend-La Pine Schools has cancelled classes, activities and sporting events across the district on Friday as the community grapples with the deaths.

The shooting puts the spotlight back on America’s continuing struggle to prevent gun violence, particularly attacks involving children. It also raises questions about how existing restrictions work when a teenager gains access to a firearm.

Nearly 45,000 Gun Deaths in One Year

The scale of America’s firearm problem extends well beyond school shootings. According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s analysis of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, 44,447 people died from gun-related injuries in 2024, a decline of about 5% from 2023. The total included 27,593 firearm suicides and 15,364 firearm homicides.

That amounts to more than 121 gun-related deaths a day on average. Although the national total fell for the third consecutive year, the number remains among the highest annual figures on record, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of CDC data.

Mass-shooting figures also depend on how incidents are defined. The Gun Violence Archive counts an incident as a mass shooting when at least four people are shot or killed, excluding the perpetrator. This broader definition includes incidents that do not necessarily involve a school, a public place or multiple fatalities.

The distinction matters when comparing school attacks with the wider gun-violence epidemic. A school shooting is a specific category of incident, while national firearm mortality figures also include suicides, domestic violence, accidental shootings and other homicides.

Oregon Has Gun Safety Laws, but Access Remains Easy

Oregon has several firearm restrictions that are intended to reduce the risk of gun violence. These include background checks covering firearms, requirements to secure guns when they are not under an owner’s immediate control, and extreme-risk protection orders that allow law enforcement and family or household members to seek temporary restrictions on a person’s access to firearms when there is evidence of a serious risk.

State law also establishes minimum purchase-age requirements, while federal law generally prohibits licensed dealers from selling rifles and shotguns to people under 18 and handguns to people under 21, subject to the applicable statutory rules and exceptions.

The Oregon attack nevertheless raises a critical question:

How did a 16-year-old obtain a firearm, and were any existing legal safeguards breached?

Those questions cannot be answered until investigators establish the weapon’s ownership, the circumstances in which the teenager obtained it and whether any laws were violated. The fact that the suspect was a minor does not, by itself, establish that the firearm was acquired illegally.

Oregon’s experience also illustrates the difference between having gun safety laws and ensuring they work in practice. Background checks govern covered transactions, while secure-storage rules are intended to prevent unauthorised access. Extreme-risk protection orders depend on warning signs being recognised and the relevant legal process being initiated.

No single measure can guarantee that a shooting will not occur. But determining how the teenager obtained the weapon could help establish whether existing safeguards failed, whether enforcement was inadequate or whether additional measures merit consideration.

A Recurring American Debate

The shooting is likely to intensify familiar divisions over gun control. Advocates of stricter laws argue that stronger checks, secure storage, restrictions on access by minors and effective intervention when people pose a danger can reduce the likelihood of firearm violence. Opponents of additional restrictions argue that lawful gun ownership is constitutionally protected and that security, enforcement and the actions of individuals must also be considered.

The policy debate is complicated by the different forms of gun violence. Measures aimed at preventing a child from accessing a household firearm may address a different risk from those intended to prevent public mass shootings or reduce firearm suicides.

For families in Bend, the immediate concern is the loss of three children and a teacher, alongside the recovery of those critically injured. For investigators, the priority is establishing the sequence of events and tracing the weapon.

The wider question for policymakers is whether existing laws, school security procedures and mechanisms for identifying risks are sufficient to prevent similar attacks. With nearly 45,000 people dying from gun-related injuries in the United States in 2024, the consequences of that question extend far beyond one school or one community.

Severe Storms Leave 9,000 Properties Without Power in Australia’s Outback

Posted on October 14, 2026 by Shelton Rozario

Thousands of residents in Australia’s Outback could remain without electricity for up to four days after powerful thunderstorms damaged powerlines, roads and buildings across the Northern Territory. Around 9,000 properties were left without power after the sudden storms swept through Alice Springs and nearby areas.

The storms developed on Monday afternoon, bringing heavy rain, hail and wind gusts approaching 100 kilometres per hour, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Authorities have warned of further thunderstorms, raising concerns about additional damage and disruption.

Severe Thunderstorms Damage Infrastructure in Alice Springs

The Bureau of Meteorology said a low-pressure trough coincided with a warm, unstable air mass over Central Australia, triggering severe thunderstorms.

Although the weather event was brief, its impact was widespread. Trees fell across roads, powerlines and rooftops, damaging infrastructure in Alice Springs and surrounding communities.

Northern Territory Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan warned that the extent of the damage could leave some communities without electricity for up to four days.

Yan and Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said emergency crews would be sent from Darwin to assist with the cleanup and electricity restoration, according to Xinhua news agency.

Authorities have urged residents to stay away from fallen trees, damaged structures and downed powerlines.

“The damage is significant but thank goodness there are no injuries reported,” Yan said.

“We want to keep it that way. We need people to stay safe with powerlines and trees down all over town.”

The Bureau of Meteorology also warned that similar storm cells could develop on Tuesday afternoon and evening, creating the possibility of further disruption across the region.

South Australia Also Hit by Damaging Storms

The damage in the Northern Territory followed severe thunderstorms in South Australia on Sunday, which left thousands of homes without electricity and prompted more than 100 calls for assistance to emergency services.

The storms moved across large parts of the state before reaching Adelaide on Sunday night. They brought damaging hailstones and strong winds that uprooted trees and affected local infrastructure.

The State Emergency Service reported on Monday that it had received more than 100 calls for assistance since Sunday afternoon, with most incidents involving fallen trees.

More than 7,000 electricity customers across South Australia were affected by outages on Sunday afternoon.

SA Power Networks reported 15 outages affecting 1,872 customers as of Monday afternoon. The largest outage, which affected 966 customers southeast of Adelaide, was not expected to be resolved until Monday night.

The consecutive weather events have disrupted electricity supplies and damaged infrastructure across the two states, placing emergency response teams under pressure as they work to clear debris and restore services.

Residents in affected areas have been advised to monitor official weather warnings, avoid damaged powerlines and keep away from trees that may have become unstable following the storms.

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Singapore-Registered Ship Sinks in Hormuz, Second One Damaged; IRGC Says Sea Mine Hit

Posted on October 14, 2026 by Sridhar P

A Singapore-registered container ship sank after being damaged and catching fire in the Strait of Hormuz, while a second vessel sustained hull damage in separate incidents, raising fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said Wednesday that the GFS PRIDE and GFS GISELLE were struck by unidentified projectiles on October 13 and 14, respectively, Singapore time. All 43 crew members aboard the two ships were reported safe, with no injuries. Neither vessel had Singaporean nationals aboard.

The GFS PRIDE caught fire before sinking. The GFS GISELLE sustained hull damage but reached a safe anchorage under its own power, the MPA said. The authority said it was in contact with the vessels’ management company and was monitoring the situation.

The circumstances surrounding the sinking remain contested. Singapore’s maritime authority described the incidents as projectile strikes, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said a container ship sank after hitting a naval mine while using what it called an unauthorised and high-risk route.

The Iranian statement, published by the IRGC’s Sepah News outlet, said the vessel suffered an explosion and caught fire. It claimed the ship was carrying more than 2,500 containers and warned other vessels and fishing boats to avoid containers floating in the water.

The two accounts offer different explanations for the incident. The IRGC’s description of the route as unauthorised is an Iranian claim, not an independently established finding about the vessel’s conduct. The available statements do not resolve the cause of the sinking or independently establish responsibility for the damage to either ship.

Iran Warns Ships Over Passage Through Hormuz

The incidents come amid heightened tensions over access to the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. The route is critical to international energy markets and global trade, making attacks on commercial vessels a concern well beyond the immediate region.

IRGC Navy commander Ali Azmaei said Tuesday that Iran’s naval forces were maintaining round-the-clock control over the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, while the Iranian Army’s Navy supervised the Gulf of Oman.

“Iran’s maritime borders enjoy an unprecedented level of security,” Azmaei told state-run IRIB TV.

He said vessels seeking to cross the Gulf and the strait needed authorisation and warned that ships violating what Iran described as its shipping rules under US “deception or provocation” would face a decisive response.

The statements underscore Tehran’s insistence on controlling maritime movement through the waterway. They also raise questions about how ships are expected to navigate safely when the parties involved disagree over the rules governing passage.

The MPA expressed concern over what it described as continued attacks on commercial shipping and said such actions endangered seafarers. Singapore’s statement called for international shipping to comply with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Shipping Risks Extend Beyond Oil Tankers

Although the latest incidents involved container ships rather than oil tankers, their implications extend to the wider maritime industry. Container vessels carry manufactured goods, industrial inputs and consumer products, and disruption to their routes can increase insurance costs, freight rates and delivery times.

The Strait of Hormuz is particularly sensitive because it serves as a major export route for oil and liquefied natural gas. Sustained insecurity can prompt shipowners to reassess routes, insurers to raise premiums and traders to factor greater uncertainty into energy and transport costs.

The immediate priority is to establish what caused the two incidents, whether the vessels encountered the same threat and whether further navigation warnings are necessary. The MPA said it remained in contact with the ships’ management company, but its public statement did not identify those responsible for the reported strikes.

For commercial operators, the central concern is no longer limited to the risk of attacks on energy shipments. The damage to the GFS GISELLE and sinking of the GFS PRIDE demonstrate the potential danger to other categories of merchant shipping passing through the strait.

Until the circumstances are independently established and the risks to navigation become clearer, the incidents are likely to reinforce concerns over the safety and reliability of one of the world’s most important shipping corridors.

Air India Express Suspends Saudi Flights Until October 17

Posted on October 13, 2026 by Sridhar P

Air India Express has cancelled flights to and from Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh until October 17 as security concerns disrupt air travel in Saudi Arabia.

The airline announced the suspension on Tuesday, October 13, citing the evolving situation in the region. Passengers affected by the cancellations can reschedule their journeys without additional charges or opt for a full refund if they cancel their bookings.

“In view of the evolving situation in the region, we have cancelled flights to and from Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh until 17 October,” an Air India Express spokesperson said.

The airline added that it was monitoring developments closely and would assess the situation before making further decisions on its operations.

Riyadh Airport Closure Disrupts Airline Operations

The suspension follows a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The attacks have triggered widespread flight cancellations and heightened concerns about the safety of civil aviation in the region.

Saudi authorities have extended the closure of Riyadh airport until October 17, according to reports, forcing airlines to revise their schedules and suspend services to the Saudi capital.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi targets. The developments come amid escalating regional tensions linked to the wider conflict involving Iran and the United States.

The disruption has affected several international carriers, with airlines extending suspensions as they assess security risks and await further updates from aviation authorities.

Indian Carriers Extend Flight Suspensions

Air India has also cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until October 17. IndiGo has suspended services to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah through the same date, while Akasa Air has extended cancellations on routes connecting Saudi Arabia.

The airlines have advised passengers to check their flight status and contact their carriers or travel agents for assistance before heading to the airport.

The latest cancellations extend disruptions that began earlier this month after attacks affected operations at Riyadh airport. Airlines had initially announced shorter suspensions before extending them as the security situation deteriorated.

Air India Express said it would continue monitoring developments. The resumption of services will depend on the evolving security situation and assessments of whether operations can be conducted safely.

India Rejects China’s Claims on Ladakh, Says Territory Is Integral Part of Country

Posted on October 13, 2026 by Sridhar P

China on Tuesday declared India’s move to formally identify 28 geographical features in Ladakh “illegal and void”, prompting New Delhi to hit back with a blunt rejection of Beijing’s claims and assert that no amount of Chinese denial can change the Union Territory’s status as an integral part of India.

The diplomatic clash erupted after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning opposed India’s decision to standardise the names of 28 locations on the official Survey of India map. Responding to Beijing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that Ladakh is an “integral and inalienable part of India” and dismissed China’s objections to the exercise.

“It is reiterated that the UT of Ladakh is an integral and inalienable part of India. No amount of denial by the Chinese side can change this established fact,” Jaiswal said on Tuesday, referring to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ announcement on the mapping exercise.

He added that the MHA’s announcement was self-explanatory and that the formal identification of the locations was intended to improve their recognition and public awareness.

India defends official mapping of 28 Ladakh locations

Earlier this month, the Centre announced that 28 places and geographical features in Ladakh had been identified using standardised names on the official Survey of India map.

According to the government, the exercise was undertaken in consultation with the Union Territory of Ladakh to establish consistent geographical references and improve public understanding of the locations.

“Government of India, in consultation with the Union Territory of Ladakh, has identified a total of twenty-eight (28) places/features, located in the UT of Ladakh, by standard place and feature names on the official map of the Survey of India (SoI),” an official statement said.

The statement added: “Identifying them formally on the Survey of India map of UT of Ladakh is aimed at facilitating their accurate recognition and better awareness among the public at large.”

The identified locations include mountain peaks, glaciers, passes, valleys, rivers, hot springs, lakes and land areas. Among them are Atisha Giri Peak, Kanishka Peak, Zorawar Peak, Parpik Glacier, Skamri Glacier, Shachmirk Pass, Shkorga Valley, Guru Rinpoche Lake and Gogra Land area.

Other locations include Drak Karpo Mountain, Rinchen Zangpo Peak, Sakyasri Giri Peak, Marpa Lotsava Ri Peak, Milarepa Kangri Peak and Maheshvara Ri Peak.

The government said the standardisation of geographical names was intended to ensure that the features could be accurately identified and consistently referenced on official maps.

Strategic and diplomatic significance of geographical names

The dispute highlights the wider significance of geographical naming and official cartography in territories affected by competing territorial claims.

Standardising the names of geographical features on government maps provides an official reference for administrative records, geographic identification and public information. In border regions, such exercises can also reinforce a government’s stated position on territorial jurisdiction.

India has previously objected to Chinese efforts to assign alternative names to locations in disputed border areas, including Arunachal Pradesh. New Delhi has consistently rejected such naming exercises as attempts to advance territorial claims.

Beijing’s latest objection to the Ladakh mapping exercise adds another point of friction to the two countries’ longstanding border dispute.

India’s position, reiterated by the MEA on Tuesday, is that identifying geographical features on the official Survey of India map does not change the territory’s status but formally records locations within what New Delhi recognises as Indian territory.

The government has maintained that Chinese objections cannot alter India’s position on Ladakh’s territorial status.

Who’s Neha Bora? A journey from Delhi University to JNU pushes AISA leader to forefront now

Posted on October 13, 2026 by Sridhar P

Neha Bora, the national president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) who emerged as a prominent face of protests over alleged electoral irregularities, joined Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday during the INDIA bloc’s march towards the Supreme Court in New Delhi.

Bora’s sudden appearance alongside the Congress leadership marked a new development in ongoing youth-led protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The march sought a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and challenged alleged voter deletions.

Neha Bora’s rise from theatre and academic research to the forefront of student protests has drawn national attention after her detention during demonstrations in Delhi against alleged electoral irregularities. The 29-year-old doctoral researcher at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is the national president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), a left-wing student organisation.

Bora became a prominent figure in protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with videos of her speeches and appeals to demonstrators circulating widely on social media. Her academic background, particularly her association with theatre and performance studies, offers a glimpse into the experiences that preceded her emergence as a student leader.

Bora pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Delhi before completing postgraduate studies at Dr BR Ambedkar University Delhi. Later, she joined JNU’s School of Arts and Aesthetics for doctoral research in Theatre and Performance Studies.

How JNU and Theatre Shaped Neha Bora’s Political Journey

Bora’s connection with theatre predates her emergence in national student politics. In an interview with Reuters, she described how joining a theatre group as an undergraduate exposed her to people and perspectives beyond her own experiences.

“There might be a character that if you meet in your real life, you will disagree with, you will not like. But to do theatre is to understand where that person comes from,” she told Reuters.

Her academic interest in performance studies and her experience in theatre developed alongside her political involvement. However, publicly available reporting provides limited detail about her doctoral thesis, specific research projects or academic work at JNU. Her theatre background should therefore not be confused with a documented account of how her doctoral research directly influenced her political positions.

Bora has traced her entry into activism to the student-led protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019 and 2020. She told Reuters that she watched students turn ideas encountered in books, films and documentaries into political action.

Her subsequent activism has covered education-related grievances, examination controversies, unemployment and questions of government accountability. As AISA president, she has become a regular participant in demonstrations and campaigns concerning student rights and public policy.

From Student Activism to the Centre of Delhi’s Protests

Bora’s profile expanded further during protests over alleged examination irregularities in July. Her speeches at Jantar Mantar criticising the government’s response to demonstrators gained traction online, according to Reuters.

More recently, she joined protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party and other groups demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls. The Election Commission has denied favouring any political group, while the BJP has rejected allegations that the electoral process was manipulated to benefit it.

On October 10, police detained Bora and other activists after demonstrators were prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar. She urged supporters to regroup at Dilli Haat, approximately 10 km away, before she too was detained.

“I am in detention. The movement is not,” she said in a video posted online, calling on supporters to continue demonstrating.

Bora was released later that day. Her public profile has since grown as she has used speeches in Hindi and English to connect student concerns with wider questions of constitutional rights, inequality and accountability.

Bora has argued that the protests reflect accumulated grievances rather than a single political issue. “Fear is infectious, of course. But hope is also infectious,” she told Reuters.

Her emergence places her among a new generation of student activists seeking to turn campus-level concerns into wider political mobilisation. Whether that visibility translates into a sustained movement will depend on the protesters’ ability to maintain public support and advance their demands beyond the immediate demonstrations.

Rahul Gandhi, 10 INDIA Bloc Leaders Move Supreme Court Against SIR Voter List Revision

Posted on October 12, 2026 by Sridhar P

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 10 other INDIA bloc leaders have approached the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the exercise.

The writ petition was filed on Monday, October 12, naming the Election Commission of India (ECI), Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and two other election commissioners as respondents. According to the Supreme Court’s case status, the petition was registered under diary number 64196/2026 and remains pending.

The legal move escalates the Opposition’s confrontation with the poll body over the voter roll revision process, which INDIA bloc leaders say threatens electoral fairness and could exclude eligible voters. The petitioners include senior leaders from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Shiv Sena (UBT), Left parties, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Indian Union Muslim League.

Who Are the 11 INDIA Bloc Leaders Challenging SIR?

The petition lists the following political leaders as petitioners:

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president
Saugata Roy, Trinamool Congress leader
Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief
Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader
Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader
M.A. Baby, CPI(M) leader
D. Raja, CPI leader
Mahua Majhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader
Supriya Sule, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader
E.T. Mohammed Basheer, Indian Union Muslim League leader

The respondents are the Election Commission of India, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi.

The filing followed an announcement by Gandhi that Opposition leaders would approach the Supreme Court after seeking an appointment with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Monday, Gandhi said he and Kharge had written to the Chief Justice expressing concerns over electoral fairness and what they described as an “attack on democracy”.

Gandhi said the Chief Justice had advised the Opposition leaders to approach the court through a formal petition. He announced that INDIA bloc leaders would jointly initiate legal proceedings and appealed to citizens to join their campaign in support of the Constitution and democratic principles.

The Opposition leaders had also begun a protest march towards the Supreme Court, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

India’s Retail Inflation Rises to 5.54% as Food Prices Surge

Posted on October 12, 2026 by Sridhar P

India’s retail inflation rose to 5.54% in September 2026 from 4.83% in August, as food prices increased at a faster pace, according to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Food inflation, measured by the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), climbed to 7.74% in September from 5.97% a month earlier. The increase in food prices was sharper than the rise in headline inflation, pointing to continued pressure on household spending.

“Retail inflation based on Consumer Price Index in September, 2026 is 5.54 per cent,” the ministry said.

The latest figures also show a widening gap between rural and urban inflation, with rural households facing a higher rate of price increases.

Rural Inflation Outpaces Urban Rate

Rural retail inflation rose to 6.08% in September from 5.24% in August. Urban inflation increased to 4.88% from 4.31% over the same period.

The gap was also visible in food prices. Rural food inflation stood at 8.06% in September, compared with 7.18% in urban areas.

The ministry said, “Year-on-year food inflation, based on Consumer Food Price Index, in September, 2026 is 7.74 per cent.”

The combined Consumer Price Index rose to 109.49 in September from 108.74 in August. The food price index increased to 112.17 from 110.73.

The divergence between rural and urban inflation suggests that price pressures are not being felt evenly across households. However, the aggregate figures alone do not establish how much individual households have cut consumption or how the increase has affected their purchasing power.

Food Prices Remain Key Inflation Risk

The acceleration in food inflation is the central concern in the September data. With food prices rising faster than the overall consumer price index, the headline rate understates the pressure faced by households whose budgets devote a substantial share to food.

The figures will be relevant to policymakers assessing whether the rise in inflation is temporary or likely to persist. A single monthly reading, however, is not enough to establish a sustained trend or determine the implications for monetary policy.

For the September release, price data were collected from 1,407 urban markets, including online markets, and 1,465 villages. The ministry reported a 100% response rate in both rural and urban areas.

The next Consumer Price Index release is scheduled for November 12, 2026, or the next working day.

Hyderabad Techie Killed in Riyadh Airport Attack Had Invited Family for Umrah

Posted on October 12, 2026 by Sridhar P

A 46-year-old Hyderabad software engineer died after a missile attack at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, where he had been waiting with his wife and three children to board a flight to Madina for the next leg of their religious pilgrimage. Two of his sons were injured, one requiring knee surgery and the other losing three toes.

Mohammed Yousuf Ali, who had worked as an IT engineer in Riyadh for the past 10 years, had brought his family to Saudi Arabia about 10 days earlier to perform Umrah, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. The family was at the airport on Sunday, preparing to travel to the holy city of Madina, when the attack occurred.

According to information received by his relatives in Hyderabad, missile debris struck Yousuf Ali, his family members and other pilgrims waiting in the airport lounge. He sustained critical injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed on Sunday night that an Indian national had died in the attack.

Two Sons Injured, Wife and Daughter Escape With Minor Injuries

Yousuf Ali’s sons, Aman Ali, 18, and Wasi Ali, 16, were among those injured. Aman underwent surgery on his knee, while Wasi lost three toes in the incident. Both are students in Hyderabad.

His wife, Sameera, and their 11-year-old daughter, Maryam, who studies in Class 6 at a Hyderabad school, sustained minor injuries.

News of Yousuf Ali’s death prompted relatives and friends to gather at his residence in Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad. A relative said his last rites were likely to be performed in Riyadh.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to ensure that the family received all possible assistance. Owaisi said he was in contact with Yousuf Ali’s brother-in-law in Riyadh.

The family’s ordeal comes amid reports of casualties and injuries in the attack, which claimed 13 lives and left around 300 people injured, according to the information available.

Telangana Worker Also Injured; 11 Indians Among Wounded

Another Telangana resident, Shaik Saeed, 42, from Kamareddy district, was injured in the attack. Saeed, who worked at a café at the airport, was struck by falling debris and admitted to King Fahad Military Hospital, where he was reportedly receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

Saeed’s two brothers are also employed in Saudi Arabia.

Eleven Indian nationals were among those injured in the incident. The Indian Embassy said its officials had visited the hospitals treating the injured Indians and were coordinating assistance.

In a post on X, the Embassy said that one Indian national had died, three were in intensive care but stable, and two others were admitted to regular wards. The remaining injured Indians had been discharged.

“Our Embassy officials have visited all hospitals where Indian nationals injured in the attack have been admitted,” the Embassy said, adding that it would provide all possible support to the affected families.

The Embassy also thanked Saudi authorities for the medical care provided to the injured Indian nationals.

New Delhi Paralysed Over Escalating Anti-CEC Student Protests (Chronology)

Posted on October 12, 2026 by Sridhar P

A heavy security blanket has completely enveloped the national capital as central Delhi braces for massive demonstration waves. According to official operational briefings from the Delhi Police, over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel, including specialized Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units, have been heavily deployed.

In a bid to restrict mass gatherings, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) enforced strict transit curbs, completely shutting down entry and exit gates at key transit junctions like Mandi House and Barakhamba Road. Concurrently, severe road blockades have transformed the heart of Connaught Place and borders surrounding Delhi into a strict checking zone.

The friction centers around the Gen Z-fueled Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), spearheaded by political strategist Abhijeet Dipke. The grassroots youth group, alongside the Left-leaning All India Students’ Association (AISA), is forcefully demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Chronology of Anti-CEC protests

Sept. 25, 2026: Direct anti-CEC protests are triggered after The Indian Express reports that two other internal election commissioners formally objected to major decisions in the voter list revision.
— The Indian National Congress launches an initial wave of nationwide protests demanding the CEC’s ouster, holding demonstrations across cities like Delhi, Patna, and Kolkata.
Sept. 30, 2026: The multi-party opposition INDIA bloc officially unites with the youth-led CJP, calling for a massive nationwide protest beginning on October 2.

October 2, 2026: High-profile protests and political marches kick off across Delhi and Mumbai. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders lead a massive march in Mumbai, resulting in over 500 detentions.
October 6, 2026: Top opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, lead a march from the Parliament House toward the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters. They are blocked by Delhi Police and hold a sit-in dharna on Parliament Street.
October 8, 2026: The epicenter temporarily shifts to the south as public figures like Prakash Raj alongside Dipke spearhead a major CJP rally in Bengaluru, demanding an immediate halt to the SIR program.

October 10, 2026: CJP calls for thousands to converge at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Authorities react by deploying over 23,000 security personnel, suspending mobile internet, and locking down 45 metro stations.
— CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka are intercepted and detained by police directly from their seats inside an Air India flight upon landing at IGI Airport.
— Over 3,300 demonstrators are detained across the capital through the day.
October 11, 2026: The Supreme Court holds an urgent special hearing regarding the heavy transit lockdowns and mass detentions, directing the government to restore free movement and metro services.
— A Delhi magistrate court orders the conditional release of the top CJP leaders. Dipke leaves for Maharashtra following the death of his grandmother, while co-convenors Das and Ranka pledge that peaceful protests will resume.
October 12, 2026: The INDIA bloc launches a massive march directly to the Supreme Court. Delhi remains heavily fortified with multi-layer barricades and police forces as six major metro stations are closed down again to restrict the flow of demonstrators.

Critics and opposition leaders claim that the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has compromised the integrity of democratic voter lists. A detailed statement from CJP leadership on Instagram live revealed that Dipke and senior conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were aggressively rounded up by local police directly inside an Air India flight upon touching down in Delhi. They were subsequently released by a local magistrate’s court late Sunday evening.

The legal friction intensified heavily when the Supreme Court Bar Association stepped in. In a formal request to the Supreme Court, senior bar members registered strong complaints against the detention of defending lawyers who were reporting from their chambers to assist students.

Despite the legal standoff, the multi-party INDIA opposition bloc, led by LoP Rahul Gandhi, has unified to launch a massive march directed right toward the apex court. Addressing the ongoing crackdown via an official press release, senior leaders declared the administrative restrictions an “undeclared emergency,” emphasizing that peaceful democratic assembly is a core constitutional right that will not be subdued by force.