Yearly Archives: 2026

Check Prices of Apple’s new Mac mini with M6 and Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra

Posted on by
Reply

Apple’s latest desktop computers, the Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips and the Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra, are now available through Apple Stores, the Apple Store online and the Apple Store app.

The new Mac mini is positioned as Apple’s versatile compact desktop, targeting a broad range of users from students and everyday consumers to creative professionals and small businesses. It is powered by the new M6 and M5 Pro chips.

Apple says the Mac mini with M6 delivers up to four times faster AI performance, twice the graphics and storage performance, and 40 per cent faster CPU performance compared with the previous generation.

The company says the improvements are designed to support demanding workloads ranging from multitasking and agentic AI applications to music production and code compilation.

The Mac mini with M5 Pro is aimed at users handling more demanding professional workloads, including video production and game development.

Mac Studio targets demanding professional workloads

The new Mac Studio, which Apple describes as its most powerful Mac, is available with the M5 Max and the new M5 Ultra chips. The desktop is designed for professionals working on computationally intensive tasks.

According to Apple, Mac Studio delivers up to 4.3 times faster AI performance and up to 1.8 times faster graphics performance, while supporting up to 512GB of unified memory.

Apple has also positioned both Mac mini and Mac Studio as platforms for on-device AI. Their next-generation GPUs feature Neural Accelerators in every core, alongside advanced CPUs and Neural Engines.

The new desktops also work with macOS 27 and Apple’s latest Apple Intelligence features, including Siri AI, offering additional AI capabilities for both new and existing Mac users.

Both are available now at Apple Store locations, on apple.com, and in the Apple Store app. Mac mini with M6 starts at INR 99,990, while Mac mini with M5 Pro is available at INR 2,09,900.

Mac Studio with M5 Max starts at INR 2,79,900 while Mac Studio with M5 Ultra starts at INR 6,29,900.

Featuring a 12-core CPU with the world’s fastest single-threaded performance, a 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators built into each core, and the all-new Dual 16-core Neural Engine, it blazes through everything from everyday productivity to advanced agentic AI workflows.

Starting with 16GB of unified memory, configurable up to 32GB, and higher memory bandwidth up to 170GB/s, multitasking is faster than ever. With M6, Mac mini brings up to 4x faster AI performance,1 a supercharge to the leading desktop for always-on agentic computing.

Mac mini with M5 Pro delivers even more pro-level performance with an up-to-18-core CPU and an up-to-20-core GPU, along with support for up to 64GB of unified memory with 307GB/s of memory bandwidth, empowering users to take on demanding creative and technical projects.

Both models include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and upgraded 2.5Gb Ethernet, with a 10Gb option available. College students and educators can save on the new Mac mini with year-round education pricing starting at INR 88900 for Mac mini with M6.

The New Mac Studio

Engineered for professionals who tackle the most intense workloads, Mac Studio is the ultimate desktop for pro workflows and on-device AI. Mac Studio with M5 Max features an 18-core CPU, an up-to-40-core GPU with Neural Accelerators built into each core, and up to 128GB of unified memory, enabling musicians, photographers, software engineers, and designers to push the limits of real-time 3D, motion graphics, and AI workflows.

Mac Studio with M5 Ultra takes performance to an entirely new level with an up-to-36-core CPU, an up-to-80-core GPU, and a staggering up to 512GB of unified memory with 1.2TB/s of memory bandwidth, empowering filmmakers to colour-grade uncompressed 8K footage in real time, VFX artists to render complex scenes, and AI researchers to run enormous LLMs entirely on device.

Both models feature Thunderbolt 5 for blazing-fast transfer speeds up to 120Gb/s, so users can take advantage of superfast external storage, a PCIe expansion chassis, and powerful hub solutions.

Personalised Service

Apple Specialists are available to help with customers’ shopping needs in-store, online, and in the Apple Store app. Whether they’re looking for assistance in choosing the right product, learning about Apple Trade In, or setting up and going further with a new device, customers receive best-in-class support from Apple’s knowledgeable retail team members.

Customers can trade in their current computer and get credit toward a new Mac. Customers can visit apple.com/in/shop/trade-in to see what their device is worth. Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card7 can also take advantage of financing options through Apple Card Monthly Installments.8

Savings for students: Available exclusively from Apple students can save with year-round education pricing starting at INR 88900 for Mac mini and 256900 for Mac Studio. Students can learn more by visiting their nearest Apple Store or at apple.com/in-edu/store.

 

 

Trump Welcomes Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews as B-1 Bomber Flypast Sparks Viral Online Moment

Posted on by
Reply
U.S. President Donald Trump personally welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday for the start of a three-day state visit, the Chinese leader’s first trip to Washington in more than a decade.
The arrival ceremony featured a red carpet, American and Chinese flags, a U.S. Air Force band performing the national anthem, ceremonial cannon fire, an honor guard, and a flypast by two U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers.Trump was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump. Xi arrived with his wife, Peng Liyuan. During the ceremony, as the national anthem played, the two B-1 Lancer bombers flew overhead.
A video of the moment captured Trump saluting and then appearing to wince at the loud noise of the aircraft before looking toward Xi. Xi appeared largely unfazed. The contrasting reactions quickly circulated widely on social media.Online responses varied. Some users questioned why Trump seemed startled by a planned element of the military display.
Others defended the flypast as a demonstration of U.S. military strength.Trump’s decision to greet Xi in person at the military airfield highlighted the importance attached to the visit. The two leaders are expected to hold high-level talks at the White House covering trade and tariffs, technology and artificial intelligence, Taiwan, military relations, and various international conflicts.
Xi’s visit occurs amid ongoing strategic competition between the United States and China, drawing close international attention. While the viral flypast video has dominated social-media discussion, the primary focus remains the bilateral discussions aimed at managing the broader U.S.-China relationship.
The visit marks Xi’s first trip to the United States in nearly three years and comes at a sensitive point in relations between the world’s two largest economies. While expectations for a major breakthrough remain limited, the two sides have agreed to extend their existing trade truce, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
Bessent told Fox News’ “Special Report” that the arrangement would remain in place through January 10. The current truce had been due to expire on November 10. The extension provides a temporary reprieve for businesses and financial markets still dealing with the effects of the tariff confrontation.  The 2025 trade war pushed tariffs to exceptionally high levels before a temporary accommodation.
Trump personally receives Xi
 The two leaders, accompanied by their wives, spoke briefly and posed for photographs as a military band played and cannons fired. A B-1 bomber also flew overhead. According to C-SPAN, the reception was the first time in 11 years that a US president had greeted a foreign leader at Joint Base Andrews.
The previous occasion was in 2015, when then-President Barack Obama received Pope Francis.
“China and the United States should be partners, not rivals,” Xi said in a written statement released by the Chinese embassy in Washington. The statement did not refer to the trade-truce extension.Trade progress comes with major disputes unresolvedThe agreement does not resolve deeper disagreements over China’s rare-earth exports, US chip and technology restrictions, Beijing’s relationship with Iran and US support for Taiwan.Those issues are expected to feature prominently in Thursday’s talks.
Xi is likely to raise Beijing’s claims over Taiwan, while Trump is expected to maintain US export controls. Whether China could help on the Iran conflict, now in its seventh month and affecting energy prices, remains unresolved.Narrower agreements are possible on drug trafficking, military-to-military communication and artificial intelligence. Trump is also expected to seek the release of some Americans detained in China.The leaders approach the summit from different positions.
China’s exports remain strong despite weak domestic consumption and property-sector pressure; Xi has consolidated authority through military corruption probes. The US faces elevated energy prices linked to the Iran conflict. The summit is expected to focus as much on managing tensions as resolving them.

Time is on China’s Side
Edgard Kagan, a former White House official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said both leaders believe time is working in their favour.“The president very much believes that over time the US economy is going to grow, the US will get stronger,” Kagan said. “I think when Xi Jinping sits down with Donald Trump, he very much believes the US is in hurtling decline, and that time is on China’s side.”
Trump and Xi prepare for high-profile summitThe programme includes a state dinner expected to draw tech leaders including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, underscoring technology’s growing importance amid US chip restrictions and China’s AI ambitions. Trump and Xi are also expected to attend a White House military ceremony and visit the National Archives.Despite disagreements, both governments seek to project greater stability.
The meeting will be tightly choreographed, with separate announcements rather than a joint news conference.For Trump, the summit follows a UN General Assembly visit and comes amid pressure over the Iran conflict ahead of November’s congressional elections. Another meeting could take place later this year at the APEC summit in China or the G20 in the United States.The trade-truce extension offers more time to negotiate, but the broader relationship remains defined by disputes well beyond tariffs.

Most Americans Turn Clocks Back on Nov 1 But Not these 19 States

Posted on by
Reply

Unless the U.S. Senate takes rapid action, most Americans will turn their clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1.

While smartphones and connected devices will adjust automatically, traditional clocks and appliances will require manual updates. The reset will keep the country on standard time until clocks spring forward again on March 14, 2027.

Here is where the push for permanent daylight saving time stands, and why the November switch is still on track to happen.

The Congressional Roadblock

The twice-yearly time switch continues because the Sunshine Protection Act, a federal bill aimed at establishing year-round daylight saving time for most of the country, remains stalled.

Although the House passed the legislation on July 14, the bill was subsequently sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where it has sat without a scheduled floor vote as of Sept. 23.

The legislative window to prevent the November clock change is rapidly closing. The Senate recently returned from a five-week recess on Sept. 14, but Congress is slated to begin another extended recess on Oct. 5. If lawmakers do not finalize the bill before they leave Washington, the existing federal time-change rules will automatically apply.

The Federal Ban and 19 Waiting States

Currently, the federal government prohibits states from independently adopting permanent daylight saving time. States are only allowed to opt out of the time change by observing permanent standard time year-round, an exemption currently utilized by Hawaii and most of Arizona (though the Navajo Nation within Arizona continues to change its clocks).

Despite this federal blockade, 19 states have proactively passed laws supporting permanent daylight saving time. Florida initiated the movement in 2018, and several states have since followed suit. The states with permanent DST legislation already on the books are:

Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Having a law on the books does not guarantee an immediate change. In addition to requiring a federal repeal of the current ban, some states have built-in trigger conditions. Delaware and Utah, for example, require their neighboring states to enact identical measures before their own permanent daylight saving laws can take effect.

What Happens if the Bill Becomes Law?

If Congress eventually passes the Sunshine Protection Act, it will eliminate the biannual transition between standard and daylight saving time. Most of the country would remain on daylight saving time throughout the winter months. Areas that currently have standard-time exemptions, like Hawaii, would be allowed to maintain their current schedules.

Until the Senate moves the legislation forward, however, the map of states with permanent DST laws serves merely as a guide to regional political support, not a guarantee that residents will skip the fall time change.

Trump Speech Goes Nearly Silent After White House Media Ban

Posted on by
Reply

President Donald Trump’s speech at a White House ceremony was nearly inaudible on television Monday after major US networks pulled out of the presidential media pool in protest against the administration’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico.

Footage broadcast by Newsmax showed Trump speaking during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a new White House helipad, but the event lacked the cameras and microphones normally supplied by the rotating White House television press pool. As a result, viewers could see Trump speaking but could barely hear what he was saying.

“There’s no microphone because the pool cameras aren’t there,” a Newsmax presenter said while the footage was being broadcast, adding that the situation could be “one example of it backfiring just a little bit.”

Major Networks Pull Out of TV Pool

Trump announced Friday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing the three outlets of “FAKE NEWS” in a post on Truth Social.

The decision triggered a broader dispute over the White House television pool, a system in which major networks rotate responsibility for providing cameras and video from presidential events and share the footage with other broadcasters.

ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC said Monday that the public has a vital interest in receiving accurate and independent information about the government and that administrations should not restrict news organisations because of their reporting.

CNN had been scheduled to provide pool coverage for Monday’s event but could not do so following the White House ban.

“There will be no replacement pool put in place,” Fox News Washington bureau chief Bryan Boughton, who chairs the television pool, said in a memo to the White House press corps, according to Politico.

The disruption meant the White House event proceeded without the usual shared television production infrastructure, exposing the practical consequences of the dispute between the administration and major news organisations.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have separately announced legal action, saying they are seeking to protect their First Amendment rights. Their emergency request is expected to be considered by a federal judge in Washington.

White House Launches Trump TV

The media confrontation has also coincided with the White House launching a new digital broadcast called TRUMP TV on YouTube.

The livestream, which began Monday, promises to provide presidential footage and “must-see highlights” around the clock. Its programming has included recordings of Trump’s recent speeches, including remarks at Mount Rushmore during celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary and his 2025 commencement address to West Point graduates.

Trump has repeatedly clashed with major US media organisations and accused outlets whose coverage he dislikes of being biased or inaccurate.

The launch of Trump TV gives the White House a direct digital distribution channel at a moment when the traditional television pool has been disrupted by the dispute over press access.

The near-silent footage from Monday’s helipad ceremony illustrated the immediate effect of that breakdown: without the shared cameras and microphones normally supplied by the television pool, one of the president’s public appearances became difficult for television audiences to hear.

How Bengaluru’s costly metro, auto, taxi commute adds to peak housing options

Posted on by
Reply

Bengaluru’s expanding Namma Metro network offers commuters a faster and more predictable alternative to the city’s congested roads, but its relatively high cost and limited reach also add to the financial burden on residents.

Compared with Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, Bengaluru has a smaller rail-based commuter network and lacks the extensive suburban railway systems that allow workers in those cities to live much farther from employment centres while keeping commuting costs relatively low.

For a commuter travelling about 15 km one way by Namma Metro, including an estimated cost for first- and last-mile connectivity, the monthly expense is around ₹3,520 for 22 working days. For someone earning ₹20,000 a month, that amounts to nearly 18% of monthly income. At a salary of ₹50,000, the same commute would account for about 7%.

Bengaluru has a smaller rail catchment

The difference becomes more pronounced when the distance between homes and employment centres is considered.

Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai have long-established suburban rail networks that extend well beyond their core urban areas. Workers can live 50 km or more from central business districts and still commute by rail. Delhi’s extensive Metro network also connects the city with major parts of the National Capital Region.

Bengaluru’s rail network, by comparison, currently provides a much smaller practical commuter catchment. The metro connects areas such as Whitefield, Kengeri and Madavara with the city, but the rail-accessible distance from the core remains considerably shorter.

This has implications for housing. In cities with extensive suburban rail, workers can move farther from expensive central areas and still reach employment hubs at relatively low transport costs. Bengaluru’s smaller rail network gives commuters fewer such options.

Metro offers reliability, but at a premium

A comparison of monthly rail-based commuting costs for a 15-km one-way journey puts Bengaluru at roughly ₹3,520, compared with about ₹2,772 in Delhi, ₹2,200 in Chennai, ₹1,980 in Mumbai and ₹1,760 in Kolkata. The figures include assumptions about working days and last-mile connectivity and are therefore indicative rather than universal household expenses.

The underlying difference is partly historical. Mumbai and Kolkata inherited extensive suburban railway networks built decades before their modern metro systems. Chennai also has a long-established suburban rail network. These systems carry large numbers of passengers over long distances at comparatively low fares.

Bengaluru’s mass-transit infrastructure developed later and has relied heavily on Namma Metro. While the metro can provide more predictable journey times in a city known for severe road congestion, commuters bear a larger share of the cost through metro fares and connecting transport.

Road-based alternatives can be substantially more expensive. A 15-km daily commute by autorickshaw can cost more than ₹14,000 a month, according to the analysis, while app-based cabs and other road options also carry higher costs. A private car may cost around ₹6,000 a month when fuel, maintenance, depreciation, parking and other expenses are taken into account.

The comparison highlights a central trade-off for Bengaluru commuters: Namma Metro may not offer the lowest commuting cost among major Indian cities, but it provides greater predictability in a city where road congestion can make travel times highly uncertain.

Dubai declares 10-day mourning after death of Ruler’s brother Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid at 76

Posted on by
Reply

Dubai has declared 10 days of official mourning following the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, younger brother of UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Ahmed, 76, died on Monday, September 21, according to the Dubai Ruler’s Court. Flags across the emirate will be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.

Sheikh Mohammed paid tribute to his brother in a message on social media, praying for his soul and offering condolences to his family.

Sheikh Ahmed’s military and public service

Born in 1950, Sheikh Ahmed was the youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former Ruler of Dubai.

He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK and later joined Dubai’s Central Military Command, eventually becoming its commander-in-chief. He subsequently served as Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security.

Beyond his military and security roles, Sheikh Ahmed was involved in business, real estate and sport. He served as Group Chairman of ARM Holding and was associated with the Dubai Real Estate Centre.

Long association with Al Wasl and horse racing

Sheikh Ahmed was closely associated with Al Wasl Sports Club and served as its president for decades. He was among the figures involved in the club’s formation in 1960, and under his long leadership Al Wasl became one of the UAE’s prominent sporting institutions.

He was also involved in Dubai’s horse-racing sector and helped establish Jebel Ali Racecourse and the Dubai Racing Club.

The UAE leadership and other officials offered condolences to Sheikh Mohammed and the Al Maktoum family following Sheikh Ahmed’s death. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences, describing Sheikh Ahmed’s contributions to society as something that would be remembered.

Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar claims state will be split into four

Posted on by
Reply

Uttar Pradesh Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar has claimed that the state will eventually be divided into four parts, with a separate Purvanchal state having a Chief Minister from the Rajbhar community.

Addressing a public meeting in Ambedkarnagar on Sunday, Rajbhar said the proposed four regions would be Purvanchal, Madhyanchal, Bundelkhand and Harit Pradesh.

“In the coming days, the state is going to be divided into four parts. The day a separate Purvanchal state is created, the first Chief Minister will be a son of the Rajbhar community,” he said.

Rajbhar also referred to what he described as a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He claimed that the division of Uttar Pradesh could be taken up after the completion of the caste census.

Rajbhar links state division to caste census

Rajbhar said he had discussed the issue of sub-categorisation within the 27 per cent OBC reservation quota with the Prime Minister.

“Once the caste census is completed, there will be no problem in carrying out the division. We will divide the state after the caste census. This is what the Prime Minister of the country said,” Rajbhar claimed.

There has been no corresponding announcement from the Centre or the BJP confirming a plan to divide Uttar Pradesh into four states. Rajbhar’s remarks therefore represent his stated position rather than an announced government decision.

Demand for smaller states has a long history

The demand for dividing Uttar Pradesh has been raised several times, with proponents citing the state’s size and regional administrative concerns.

In 2011, the Mayawati-led BSP government passed a resolution in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly proposing that the state be divided into four regions. The proposal did not progress at the Centre.

Rajbhar’s latest comments come ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and have brought the long-standing debate over the state’s reorganisation back into focus.

White House Launches ‘Trump TV’ As Media Fight With CNN, Politico Escalates

Posted on by
Reply

The White House has launched a 24/7 streaming service called “TRUMP TV: The Essentials Station”, giving viewers direct access to President Donald Trump’s speeches, administration announcements and other official footage as his administration faces a growing dispute with major US news organisations.

The digital channel went live on Monday evening on the White House’s YouTube platform, hours after CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a federal lawsuit challenging the administration’s decision to block their reporters from White House access. The White House says the new service will bring the administration’s “biggest moments” together in one place and update the feed in real time.

The launch comes as the traditional White House television pool has effectively been disrupted. ABC, CBS, Fox News, NBC and CNN had shared responsibility for providing video coverage of presidential events, but the four networks other than CNN suspended their participation after CNN was removed from a scheduled pool assignment.

Trump TV follows ban on three news outlets

Trump announced last week that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing the organisations of publishing what he called “FAKE NEWS”. Their reporters were subsequently denied entry and had their press credentials confiscated.

The three organisations have challenged the restrictions in federal court, arguing that the administration violated First Amendment protections by restricting their access in response to their reporting. The White House has defended its position, arguing that press organisations do not have an automatic right to special access to the White House.

The dispute has now affected the traditional system through which television networks collectively provide footage of the president. The White House has its own video operation and can distribute footage directly, making the new streaming service particularly significant at a time when independent television coverage of presidential events is being disrupted.

White House builds direct-to-viewer media channel

The Trump TV feed includes recent announcements, presidential remarks and footage from earlier Trump appearances. The first programming included footage from Trump’s July appearance at Mount Rushmore and his 2025 inauguration.

The White House has presented the platform as a way for Americans to see presidential events and administration material that may not receive television airtime. Deputy Assistant to the President Kaelan Dorr described it as a livestream of the administration’s “greatest hits, unfiltered”, according to reports.

The development marks a further shift toward the White House communicating directly with audiences through its own digital channels rather than relying entirely on traditional news organisations to distribute presidential footage.

That shift is unfolding alongside an unresolved legal battle over press access. CNN, MS NOW and Politico are seeking to restore their access, while the administration maintains that the outlets can continue reporting on the president even without the access it previously provided.

The immediate significance of Trump TV, therefore, extends beyond the launch of another streaming feed. It gives the White House a direct distribution channel at a moment when the administration’s relationship with several major news organisations has entered a new and legally contested phase.

Reuters/Ipsos figures show Trump’s approval rate falling to 32% from Jan 25 rating of 47%

Posted on by
Reply

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 32%, the lowest level of his political career, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll. The figure marks a 15-point decline from the 47% approval recorded shortly after his second inauguration in January 2025, with economic concerns and the war with Iran emerging as major issues in the latest survey.

Approval Erodes From Second-Inauguration High

The latest reading extends a broader decline in Trump’s approval rating over the past 18 months, despite brief periods of recovery. The Reuters/Ipsos figures show his approval moving as follows:

  • January 2025: 47% shortly after his second inauguration
  • March 2026: 36%
  • August 2026: 33%, matching his previous first-term low
  • September 14, 2026: 35%
  • September 21, 2026: 32%

At 32%, Trump’s current approval rating is three points below former President Joe Biden’s lowest Reuters/Ipsos rating of 35%, recorded in October 2024.

The latest decline also extends to Trump’s Republican base. His approval among Republicans fell from 82% to 73% in a week, according to the poll.

Cost of Living Emerges as Key Pressure Point

Economic concerns are particularly pronounced in the latest survey. Only 17% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while even among Republicans, 51% disapprove of his performance on the issue compared with 44% who approve.

The war with Iran is another area where the administration faces weak public support. Just 34% of respondents approve of the US strikes on Iran, while 82% expect the conflict to continue for an extended period. The conflict has also coincided with higher fuel prices, adding to concerns about household costs.

Trump retains substantially stronger support on immigration. Seventy-nine per cent of Republicans approve of his handling of the issue, although approval falls to 36% among Americans overall. His handling of crime receives 35% approval nationally, compared with 50% who disapprove.

The political impact is also visible in the generic congressional ballot. Democratic candidates lead Republican candidates 43% to 35% among respondents, an eight-point gap that represents the largest Democratic advantage recorded by Reuters/Ipsos this year.

The poll does not establish that economic concerns or the Iran conflict alone are responsible for the shift in voting preferences. It does, however, show that Trump’s overall approval has declined alongside weak ratings on several issues that are central to his second-term agenda, while Democratic candidates currently hold an eight-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot.

California Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Historic El Niño Season

Posted on by
Reply

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a statewide state of emergency as forecasters warn that a strengthening El Niño could bring severe winter storms, flooding and coastal damage to the US state.

The proclamation, issued on Monday, will allow state agencies to accelerate preparations, mobilise resources and protect communities ahead of potentially intense weather conditions. Forecasters expect the developing El Niño to become very strong and possibly the strongest on record, according to the governor’s office.

The emergency measures direct agencies to prepare roads and critical infrastructure, stockpile supplies and help local authorities reduce the risks of flooding, landslides, debris flows and coastal hazards. The California National Guard may also support flood response, search-and-rescue operations, engineering and logistics if required.

State prepares for severe winter weather

El Niño is a natural climate pattern caused by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific. It can alter global weather patterns and increase the likelihood of wetter and more intense winters in California.

The governor’s office said the state could face repeated rounds of heavy rain, strong winds, mountain snow, large waves, coastal flooding, power outages and damage to roads and homes. Coastal areas could be particularly vulnerable when storms coincide with high tides.
State agencies have been instructed to position flood-fighting equipment, including sandbags and pumps, while transportation officials prepare traffic-control, road-closure and snow-removal equipment along vulnerable routes. Environmental agencies will also work with local authorities to speed up flood-protection and landslide-prevention measures.

“We are preparing for this El Niño early because every Californian deserves to be safe in their home, connected to their community, and protected when severe weather comes,” Newsom said.

Officials have urged residents to sign up for emergency alerts, assess their flood risk, clear drains and gutters, prepare emergency supplies and make evacuation plans. They also warned people never to drive through floodwater because roads may be deeper, faster-moving or damaged beneath the surface.
El Niño poses wider economic risks

The warning comes as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, or ECLAC, cautions that an extreme El Niño could cause losses equivalent to at least 2 per cent of the region’s gross domestic product and push an additional 4.8 million people into poverty.

In a report titled The Effects of El Niño in Latin America and the Caribbean and Recommendations for Addressing It, the Santiago-based agency said a high-intensity event could affect energy, agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure.

ECLAC Executive Secretary Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs warned of “severe economic and social repercussions” if the climate pattern reaches high intensity. The agency said the largest economic losses would probably occur during the first year, although the effects could continue for several years.

Declining household incomes could also increase poverty levels towards the end of the decade, ECLAC said.

While El Niño does not guarantee a particular storm or a uniformly wet winter, officials say the developing event raises the risk of dangerous weather across California and other parts of the Americas.

Giant Crocodylians Dominated South America’s Miocene Food Chain, Study Finds

Posted on by
Reply

South America was home to a formidable collection of predators more than 10 million years ago, when a vast lake covered much of the continent and supported giant turtles, crocodylians and an extraordinary range of prey.

New research suggests that crocodylians, rather than mammals or other land-based predators, were the most important predators in these ancient ecosystems, particularly when it came to hunting large animals.

The findings are based on an analysis of fossil remains dating from about 10.5 million to 16 million years ago. Researchers examined bite and tooth marks preserved on herbivore fossils, providing direct evidence of interactions between predators and their prey.

A Seven-Metre Predator at the Top

The Miocene lake system supported an abundance of large herbivores, including giant ground sloths, glyptodonts — ancient relatives of modern armadillos — and several groups of large hoofed mammals.

Some of these animals, including astrapotheres and toxodontids, could weigh more than a tonne.

They shared the ecosystem with an equally imposing group of predators. Among the most formidable was Purussaurus neivensis, a giant crocodylian related to modern caimans. It could reach about seven metres in length and weigh as much as 1,800 kilograms.

Other predators included anacondas, saber-toothed mammals, flightless terror birds and sebecids, which were terrestrial relatives of modern crocodylians.

Despite this diversity, the study indicates that crocodylians were particularly important predators in the ancient ecosystem.

Fossil Bite Marks Tell the Story

Researchers from the University of Helsinki studied bite and tooth marks preserved on fossilized remains of herbivores. Such marks can reveal which predators attacked or scavenged animals, even when the predator itself is not preserved alongside its potential prey.

The frequency and characteristics of marks attributed to Purussaurus suggest that the giant crocodylian played a major role in the tropical food web.

Oscar Wilson, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, said the abundance of prey was so great that mammalian predators alone would not have been capable of consuming it all.

The evidence indicates that crocodylians filled an important ecological role, particularly by targeting large-bodied prey.

The findings also raise the possibility that Purussaurus influenced herbivore populations. As one of the largest predators in the ecosystem, the giant crocodylian may have exerted substantial pressure on large herbivores and helped shape the structure of the ancient food web.

The study provides a glimpse into an ecosystem where enormous predators and prey lived alongside one another — and where giant crocodylians may have occupied a position closer to the top of the food chain than previously recognized.

 

Also Read:

Crocodiles Set to Face Extinction, Says Australian Researcher

‘Nagatitan’: Southeast Asia’s biggest long-necked dinosaur discovered

 

Scientists Discover New Subterranean Fish Species Beneath India’s Gangetic Plain

Posted on by
Reply

Scientists have identified a previously unknown genus and species of subterranean fish living beneath the Indo-Gangetic Plain in Bihar, marking the first recorded stygobitic fish from the Gangetic Basin.

Named Gangaichthys indonepalicus, the tiny, colorless, earthworm-like fish was discovered in groundwater emerging from a borewell near the India-Nepal border. The findings were published in ZooKeys by an international team of researchers from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation in Mumbai, Shivaji University in Kolhapur, the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Zoological Survey of India.

The discovery began with an unlikely clue: a short TikTok video posted in 2024 showing a tiny, unusual fish emerging from a water borewell in the region.

Researchers were intrigued because no stygobitic, or groundwater-dwelling, fish had previously been documented from the Gangetic Basin. The unusual appearance of the animal prompted the team to locate the site and determine its identity.

Thousands of Litres of Water Pumped

Finding specimens proved far more difficult than spotting the fish in the video. Researchers surveyed borewells and handpumps in Bihar, secured permission from local residents and manually pumped thousands of litres of groundwater in an effort to locate the animal.

The first specimen was recovered after about 2,000 litres of water had been pumped. However, it was damaged during collection and died shortly afterward. A second specimen was found from the same borewell after researchers pumped another 500 litres of water. It remained intact and was subsequently designated the holotype, the reference specimen used to formally describe the new species.

The fish is only about 4 centimetres long and displays several characteristics associated with life in perpetual darkness. Its eyes are greatly reduced and covered by skin, while its body lacks pigmentation and appears translucent. Researchers also noted an apparent absence of ribs.

Advanced micro-computed tomography scanning, combined with genetic analysis, showed that the animal is not simply a new species within a known group. Instead, it represents an entirely new genus belonging to the earthworm eel family Chaudhuriidae.

A Fish Adapted to Life Underground

The name Gangaichthys refers to the Ganga, or Ganges, reflecting the species’ association with the Gangetic Basin. The researchers noted the river’s importance as a source of water, food and livelihoods for millions of people, as well as its cultural and religious significance.

The species name indonepalicus refers to its occurrence near the India-Nepal border.

The researchers said the discovery highlights how little is known about India’s subterranean ecosystems. Although India has been extensively studied for its biodiversity, many species remain undocumented, particularly those living in habitats that are difficult to access.

Subterranean environments present an especially challenging frontier for biodiversity research because many organisms live deep below the surface and can rarely be encountered through conventional surveys.

The discovery of Gangaichthys indonepalicus therefore provides more than the description of a new fish. It also points to the possibility that groundwater systems beneath the Indo-Gangetic Plain may contain other previously unknown species.

Researchers said the finding underscores the continuing gaps in both species documentation and geographic biodiversity knowledge in India, suggesting that many more discoveries could emerge from habitats that have received relatively little scientific attention.

 

Also Read:

‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’: Theme for International Day of Yoga 2026

How Climate Change Weakens The Lakes’ Natural Ability To Purify Water

A century after WWI, 9,909 forgotten Indian soldiers finally get their place in history

Posted on by
Reply

More than a century after the guns of the First World War fell silent, nearly 10,000 Indian soldiers whose deaths went unrecognised in official records have finally been restored to history, correcting what historians describe as a long-standing injustice rooted in the colonial era.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has added the names of 9,909 soldiers from pre-Partition India to its official casualty records after a five-year effort to trace missing servicemen who died during the 1914-18 conflict but were never formally commemorated.

The breakthrough came through the Punjab Registers Project, a collaboration between the CWGC, the UK Punjab Heritage Association and the University of Greenwich, which examined fragile archival records preserved at Lahore Museum.

Researchers digitised and analysed registers containing details of around 320,000 Punjabi recruits before cross-checking thousands of entries against existing CWGC records. The exercise revealed that 9,909 Indian soldiers who died during the war had been omitted from official commemoration.

The CWGC said the omission stemmed from policies of the British Indian government, which denied war graves status to many soldiers who died in non-operational areas within India during the conflict. As a result, their names were never forwarded to the commission for inclusion in its records.

“More than a century after the end of the First World War, our mission endures, ensuring all those who died in the service of the Commonwealth receive the commemoration they deserve,” CWGC Director General Claire Horton said.

She described the project as a landmark effort that restores missing chapters of both family and global history, adding that the commission would continue working with Commonwealth governments on plans for a memorial honouring the newly recognised soldier.

For descendants, the discovery means different

Leicester-based dentist Dr Inder Singh Palahey said his family’s knowledge of his great-grandfather Kesar Singh had been limited to stories passed down through generations.

“From just hearsay to now discovering the facts about my great-grandfather’s ultimate military sacrifice… has been incredibly poignant,” he said, adding that official recognition acknowledges the sacrifices made not only by the soldier but also by the family he left behind.

Former England rugby international Manjinder Nagra also discovered that her maternal great-grandfather, Jagat Singh, was among those omitted from the records.

She said learning that he would now be officially recognised was “incredibly moving”, adding that the acknowledgement finally gives her family the honour and dignity they had waited more than 100 years to see.

The scale of India’s contribution to the First World War has often been overshadowed despite more than 1.4 million men from the British Indian Army serving across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. One in every six soldiers fighting for Britain during the war came from pre-Partition India, with Punjab alone contributing nearly half a million Sikh, Muslim, Hindu and Christian servicemen.

Historian Amandeep Madra, chair of the UK Punjab Heritage Association, said the project was about restoring names that should never have disappeared from history.

“These men were excluded not because they did not serve, but because of decisions taken a century ago. Correcting the record gives families around the world back a vital part of their history,” he said.

The research team, including University of Greenwich PhD researcher George Williams and 19 volunteers, reviewed 15,935 deaths and compared them with more than 74,000 existing CWGC Indian Army records before confirming the missing casualties.

The project forms part of the CWGC’s Non-Commemoration Programme, launched in 2021 to identify those excluded from official remembrance. So far, the initiative has uncovered more than 20,000 previously uncommemorated names, with the latest findings representing one of its most significant discoveries.

DRI Raids Bust Gold Smuggling Network, 15 Kg Gold Seized, 15 Arrested

Posted on by
Reply

In a major crackdown against smuggling of foreign origin gold, the the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has successfully unearthed and dismantled a highly organised gold smuggling syndicate operating through Mumbai Airport. In this operation DRI detected and busted gold melting facility that was being used for melting of foreign origin smuggled gold.

(Seized gold from melting facility in Mumbai)

A total of nine persons involved across the entire smuggling chain, including the airport staff, her handler, three intermediaries, the melting facility operator, and three persons engaged in the melting process have been arrested. Further, about 6 kg foreign-origin smuggled gold recovered at the spot has been seized.

This case underscores the evolving sophistication of organised gold smuggling syndicates, which increasingly exploit insider access at airports and employ layered distribution networks to evade detection.In another operation at Bengaluru, DRI seized 1.8 kg 24 KT gold in paste form ingeniously concealed within the layers of garments of an international passenger. Subsequent follow up search at his residential premises led to seizure of around 1.5 kg gold jewellery, 45 kg silver, and Indian & foreign currencies. The person was arrested.

(Gold in paste form concealed in undergarments; Seized at Bengaluru)
Earlier in this week, DRI has conducted a series of operations at other airports, railways station and land customs stations at Hyderabad, Rajkot, Calicut, Vishakhapatnam, Calicut, Guwahati and Petrapole, leading to the cumulative seizure of another 6 kg foreign-origin smuggled gold. Five persons have been arrested in these operations.

(Gold Seized at Vishakhapatnam)
Overall, with busting of gold smuggling syndicate, these operations resulted in seizure of about 15 kg gold, 45 kg silver, valued at around Rs. 23 crore, and arrest of 15 persons.
Also Read:

Why Greta Thunberg Never Protested at any G7 Summit?

Posted on by
Reply

As thousands of protesters clashed with police in Geneva on Sunday ahead of the G7 summit in nearby Évian-les-Bains, France, one prominent voice was conspicuously absent: Greta Thunberg.

The Swedish climate activist, whose ‘Fridays for Future’ movement helped inspire global youth activism, has once again chosen not to join on-site demonstrations or engage directly with the elite gathering of world leaders. Her absence fits a consistent pattern across past G7 summits and underscores her strategic preference for high-impact public pressure over participation in what she has long portrayed as performative international forums.

Ongoing 2026 Protests Highlight the Contrast

Protests in Geneva turned tense over the weekend, with Swiss police deploying tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators opposing the G7’s agenda on issues including inequality, climate policy, and global conflicts. Environmental, feminist, and pro-Palestinian groups were among those marching, with some actions escalating into property damage and clashes.

While climate activists have been visible in the crowds, Thunberg has not been reported among them. This mirrors her approach in previous years: she comments from afar rather than traveling to the summits themselves.

2021 Critique on Social Media

Thunberg’s most direct public takedown of a G7 summit came in June 2021 after the Cornwall, UK, gathering. As leaders wrapped up meetings with photo-ops and pledges, she posted on social media: “The climate and ecological crisis is rapidly escalating. G7 pours fantasy amounts into fossil fuels as CO2 emissions are forecast for second biggest annual rise ever. But the G7 leaders really seem to be having a good time presenting their empty climate commitments and repeating old unfulfilled promises. Of course this calls for a steak-and-lobster-BBQ-celebration while jet planes perform aerobatics in the sky above the G7 resort!”

She did not attend the 2021 event. Youth groups inspired by her work protested on the ground, but Thunberg amplified her criticism remotely, highlighting what she saw as hypocrisy between fossil fuel spending and celebratory optics.

Why the Consistent Absence?

Thunberg has never publicly framed her non-attendance at G7 summits as a formal boycott, but her broader activism reveals clear priorities that explain the pattern persisting into 2026:

She has delivered landmark speeches at UN climate summits, including her 2019 “How dare you!” address, and participated in or led visible protests at multiple COP conferences. These platforms allow direct, high-visibility challenges to leaders.

Thunberg has repeatedly dismissed high-level summits as insufficient or focused on public relations rather than binding action. She boycotted COP27 in Egypt, labeling it a “greenwashing” exercise, and has applied similar scrutiny to other gatherings.

Her signature actions include school strikes that launched a global movement, coal mine blockades (such as in Germany’s Lützerath in 2023), and fossil fuel infrastructure protests. These prioritize mass mobilization and targeted pressure over insider access.

By staying outside elite venues, Thunberg maintains the ability to critique without appearing to legitimize outcomes. Her movement’s decentralized nature means local groups can act without her physical presence.

In the current 2026 context

Amid a backdrop of geopolitical tensions over Iran war, energy suppy disruptions, and climate urgency, her continued distance from the G7 reinforces this approach. While protests unfold in Geneva, Thunberg appears focused on sustaining long-term public pressure rather than engaging directly with the summit’s format.

Her strategy has proven effective at keeping climate issues in the global spotlight on her terms. As G7 leaders convene this week, Thunberg’s voice is likely to be heard through statements or social media rather than from the streets of Évian or Geneva.

How ‘Dad bods’ influence childhood obesity risks

Posted on by
Reply

As obesity rates rise across the U.S., new research from Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health at the University of California, Irvine scientists draws attention to an often-overlooked factor in children’s long-term health: fathers.

Published in Current Obesity Reports, the review examines how a father’s health before and during parenthood—including obesity, diet, stress, mental health and lifestyle habits—can influence a child’s risk for obesity and related health conditions, even before conception. The findings suggest that what is often dismissed as a “dad bod” may reflect health factors that can shape children’s long-term well-being, or in other words, not as harmless as it may seem.

“We found that fathers’ health as an important contributor to children’s health through biological, behavioral and environmental pathways,” said corresponding author Matthew Landry, assistant professor of population health & disease prevention and a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Current trends indicate that more than 250 million people in the U.S. will be overweight or obese by 2050, according to estimates cited by the researchers. While maternal health has long been the focus of efforts to understand childhood obesity, this study and other evidence suggest fathers also play a meaningful role in shaping children’s health.

“Obesity is not simply the result of individual choices,” Landry said. “This work highlights that obesity risk is 40 to 70 percent heritable and can be passed across generations through complex biological and environmental influences.”

Recent evidence collected in this review suggests that obesity can affect sperm quality and alter epigenetic markers – biological signals influenced by behaviors and environment that help regulate how genes function during early development. These changes can potentially affect appetite regulation, metabolism and long-term disease risk in children.

Encouragingly, though, there is evidence that suggests these effects may be reversible. Weight-loss interventions, including lifestyle changes and bariatric surgery, can improve sperm health and modify obesity-related epigenetic patterns, according to the researchers.

Beyond biology, fathers help shape family routines and behaviors that influence children’s health. Fathers’ eating habits, physical activity levels and approaches to parenting are closely associated with children’s diet quality, activity levels and obesity risk. Active involvement in meal preparation, eating meals together and shared physical activity has been linked to healthier outcomes for children.

The review also highlights the broader factors that affect fathers’ ability to support healthy lifestyles, including income, food insecurity, neighborhood conditions, workplace policies and mental health.

The authors argue that healthcare systems and public health programs should include fathers in obesity prevention efforts to a greater degree. Recommendations include father-inclusive prenatal care, expanded support for paternal mental health, paid parental leave and flexible workplace policies that support family well-being.

“Fathers have historically been overlooked in maternal and child health research and intervention efforts,” Landry said. “Recognizing fathers as active contributors to family health creates new opportunities to improve outcomes for future generations.”

The researchers conclude that addressing obesity requires a family-centered, multigenerational approach – one that recognizes fathers as essential partners in building healthier futures for children.

 

Also Read:

Child obesity level surpasses underweight cases worldwide for the first time, UNICEF warns

Obesity drug may decrease type 2 diabetes risk: Study reveals

 

President confers 07 Kirti Chakras,15 Vir Chakras, 29 Shaurya Chakras during Defence Investiture Ceremony

Posted on by
Reply

President Smt Droupadi Murmu conferred 07 Kirti Chakras, including 02 posthumous; 15 Vir Chakras, including 03 posthumous; and 29 Shaurya Chakras, including 01 posthumous, to the personnel of the Defence Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State/Union Territory Police during Phase-I of Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on June 08, 2026. These Gallantry awards were given to the personnel for displaying raw courage, unparalleled bravery and total disregard to personal safety in the line of duty. The list of awardees in the order of presentation is as follows:

S NO NAME, RANK AND OTHER DETAILS SERVICE DATE OF ACT
SHAURYA CHAKRA
1 INSPECTOR, SHRI LAXMAN KEWAT

INSPECTOR, SHRI RAMESHWAR PRASAD DESHMUKH

 MHA 16.04.2024
2 IC-75018X, LIEUTENANT COLONEL NEETESH BHARTI SHUKLA, 19 SIKH ARMY 13.07.2024
3 IC-87240L, MAJOR ADITYA PRATAP SINGH, SM, THE RAJPUTANA RIFLES, 44 ASSAM RIFLES ARMY 24.10.2024
4 IC-83864A, MAJOR ASHISH KUMAR, 7 PARA (SPECIAL FORCES) ARMY 01.11.2024
5 115069477, CONSTABLE/GD SANJAY TIWARI
115342883, CONSTABLE/GD FEDA HUSSAIN DAR		 MHA 02.11.2024
6 AR-425Y, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT (NOW DEPUTY COMMANDANT) MOHD SHAFIQ, 26 ASSAM RIFLES ARMY 05.11.2024
7 09213-N, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER SURAJ PRASHAR NAVY 05.11.2024
8 254831-N, RAM GOYAL, SEA II (Now LS) NAVY 05.11.2024
9 145310461, CONSTABLE/GD SADDAM HUSSAIN, CRPF MHA 05.11.2024
10 129078, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT VIPIN WILSON, 20 BN, CRPF MHA 11.11.2024
11 G/5009749A, RIFLEMAN BHOJ RAM SAHU, 3 ASSAM RIFLES ARMY 15.11.2024
12 30725, WING COMMANDER (NOW GROUP CAPTAIN) ABHIMANYU SINGH, FLYING (PILOT) AIR FORCE 21.11.2024
13 IC-81649W, MAJOR BHARGAV KALITA, THE KUMAON REGIMENT, 50 RASHTRIYA RIFLES ARMY 02.12.2024
14 SS-49484P, MAJOR LEISHANGTHEM DEEPAK SINGH, 11 PARA (SF) ARMY 25.04.2025
15 IC-83399Y, MAJOR ANSHUL BALTOO, JAK LI, 32 ASSAM RIF ARMY 29.04.2025
16 IC-84586K, MAJOR SHIVKANT YADAV, 5 PARA (SF) ARMY 12.05.2025
17 JC-0110806H, SUBEDAR P H MOSES, 1 ASSAM RIF ARMY 14.05.2025
18 SS-49451K, MAJOR VIVEK, MECH INF, 42 RR ARMY 15.05.2025
19 G/38589Y, RIFLEMAN MANGLEM SANG VAIPHEI, 3 ASSAM RIF ARMY 09.06.2025
20 IC-71626F, LIEUTENANT COLONEL GHATAGE ADITYA SHRIKUMAR, 21 PARA (SF) ARMY 13.07.2025
21 IC-85492Y, CAPTAIN YOGENDER SINGH THAKUR, 6 PARA (SF) ARMY 21.07.2025
22 JC-414986M, SUBEDAR SHAMSHER SINGH, 4 PARA (SPECIAL FORCES) ARMY 28.07.2025
23 2712274W, LANCE NAIK (NOW NAIK) RAHUL SINGH, 4 PARA (SPECIAL FORCES) ARMY 28.07.2025
24 G/5019682A, RIFLEMAN DHURBA JYOTI DUTTA, 33 ASSAM RIF ARMY 19.09.2025
25 08030-Z, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER DILNA K

09134-H, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ROOPA A

 NAVY 26.01.2026
VIR CHAKRA
26 IC-69077N, COLONEL KOSHANK LAMBA, 302 MEDIUM REGIMENT ARMY 07.05.2025
27 28181, GROUP CAPTAIN RANJEET SINGH SIDHU, FLYING (PILOT) AIR FORCE 07.05.2025
28 28462, GROUP CAPTAIN MANISH ARORA, SC FLYING (PILOT) AIR FORCE 07.05.2025
29 28689, GROUP CAPTAIN ANIMESH PATNI, FLYING (PILOT) AIR FORCE 07.05.2025
30 29889, GROUP CAPTAIN KUNAL KALRA, FLYING (PILOT) AIR FORCE 07.05.2025
31 30398, WING COMMANDER (NOW GROUP CAPTAIN) JOY CHANDRA, FLYING (PILOT) AIR FORCE 07.05.2025
32 IC-72358P, LIEUTENANT COLONEL SUSHIL BISHT, 1988 (INDEPENDENT) MEDIUM BATTERY ARMY 07.05.2025
33 32748, SQUADRON LEADER (NOW WING COMMANDER) SARTHAK KUMAR, FLYING (PILOT) AIR FORCE 07.05.2025
34 33900, SQUADRON LEADER SIDDHANT SINGH, FLYING (PILOT) AIR FORCE 07.05.2025
35 34563, SQUADRON LEADER RIZWAN MALIK, FLYING (PILOT) AIR FORCE 07.05.2025
36 36433, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT (NOW SQUADRON LEADER) AARSHVEER SINGH THAKUR, FLYING (PILOT) AIR FORCE 07.05.2025
37 JC-524528Y, NAIB SUBEDAR SATISH KUMAR, 4 DOGRA ARMY 10.05.2025
KIRTI CHAKRA
38 21009588Y, LANCE NAIK MEENATCHI SUNDARAM A, THE REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY, 34 RASHTRIYA RIFLES ARMY 19.12.2024
39 JC-415036K, NAIB SUBEDAR DOLESHWAR SUBBA, 2 PARA (SF) ARMY 11.04.2025
40 IC-81753K, MAJOR ARSHDEEP SINGH, ARMD, 1 ASSAM RIFLES ARMY 14.05.2025
41 25284, AIR COMMODORE PRASANTH BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, FLYING(PILOT) AIR FORCE 25.06.2025
42 IC-88733Y, CAPTAIN LALRINAWMA SAILO, 4 PARA (SPECIAL FORCES) ARMY 28.07.2025
SHAURYA CHAKRA (POSTHUMOUS)
43 15507686K, L/DFR BALDEV CHAND, ARMD, 4 RR (POSTHUMOUS) ARMY 19.09.2025
VIR CHAKRA (POSTHUMOUS)
44

 

 870027370, SUB INSPECTOR (GD), MOHD IMTEYAJ (POSTHUMOUS)

214005316, CT/GD DEEPAK CHINGAKHAM (POSTHUMOUS)

 MHA 07.05.2025
45 9124126F, RIFLEMAN SUNIL KUMAR, 4 JAMMU AND KASHMIR LIGHT INFANTRY (POSTHUMOUS) ARMY 10.05.2025
KIRTI CHAKRA (POSTHUMOUS)
46 4594379M, SEPOY JANJAL PRAVIN PRABHAKAR, THE MAHAR REGIMENT, 1 RASHTRIYA RIFLES (POSTHUMOUS) ARMY 06.07.2024
47 IC-91128W, LIEUTENANT SHASHANK TIWARI, THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS, 1 SIKKIM SCOUTS (POSTHUMOUS) ARMY 22.05.2025

 

President of India, Droupadi Murmu presents Gallantry awards [Video]

Posted on by
Reply

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu presented Gallantry Awards at the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026 (Phase-I) held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (June 8, 2026).

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were the Vice President of India, Prime Minister of India and Union Minister for Defence.

The citations of awardees and photographs of the function are attached

PIB

Also Read:

Nominations Open For Padma Awards 2027; Deadline July 31

President Murmu presents National Service Scheme Awards for the year 2020-21

 

 

Rowers included in TOPS Development Group ahead of Asian Games 2026

Posted on by
Reply

The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), in its 174th meeting, has inducted multiple rowers into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Development Group ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and other upcoming events. The list has been finalised following the completion of annual national selection trials and crew finalisation by the Rowing Federation of India (RFI).

A total of 22 Rowers are now a part of the TOPS Development group across six boats. This crew will now prepare for major international competitions featuring Rowing, including the Asian Games and World Cup circuit. Among the prominent names inducted are Paris 2024 Olympian Balraj Panwar, Asian Games 2022 silver medalist Arvind Singh, Asian Games 2022 double medalist Jaswinder Singh, and more.

These 22 rowers have been grouped across different boats, including Men’s Single Sculls (M1X), Men’s Double Sculls (M2X), Men’s Quadruple Sculls (M4X), Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (LM2X), Men’s Coxed Eight (M4-) and Women’s Coxless Fours (W4-). While the majority of the inducted athletes are being prepared with a direct focus on the Asian Games 2026 cycle, some crews are also part of India’s broader international development pathway targeting future competitions, like the Commonwealth Games 2030 set to be hosted in the country.

The induction of these multiple Indian rowers into the TOPS Development Group is another effort to build sustainable bench strength across several boat categories rather than focusing only on individual medal prospects. With India set to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030, the strengthening of rowing infrastructure and athlete depth remains key. Rowing has not featured in the Commonwealth Games since the 1986 edition in Edinburgh, but can be set for a return in the centenary edition of the games.

The 2026 Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan.

The continental multi-sport event will bring together thousands of athletes from across Asia to compete in a wide range of disciplines.

Full List of TOPS Development Rowers inducted:

Men’s Single Sculls – Arvind Singh

Men’s Double Sculls – Navdeep Singh, Kulwinder Singh

Men’s Quadruple Sculls – Balraj Panwar, Satnam Singh, Jakar Khan, Salman Khan

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls – Lakshay, Ujjwal Kumar Singh

Men’s Coxed Eight – Jaswinder Singh, Nitin Kumar, Babulal Yadav, Yogesh Kumar, Ghurde Vipul Satish, Saurav Kumar, Iqbal Singh, Sannee Kumar, Dhananjay Uttam Pande

Women’s Coxless Fours – Gurbani Kaur, Poonam, Tendenthoi, Aleena Anto.

Also Read:

Rs.50K Stipend for Sports Persons Going for Olympic, Asian Games

India expands water sports training and funding for all other states; Why Karnataka is missing

 

‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’: Theme for International Day of Yoga 2026

Posted on by
Reply

The theme for the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY), to be observed on June 21, 2026, has been announced as “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, underscoring the growing global recognition of yoga as a holistic tool for enhancing physical, mental and emotional well-being.

Rooted in India’s ancient traditions and embraced worldwide, yoga has increasingly been viewed as an effective means of promoting healthy and active living. The theme highlights yoga’s role in fostering vitality, resilience and independence, while reinforcing its importance in preventive healthcare and overall wellness.

Speaking on the theme, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, said, “The theme for this year’s IDY, ‘Yoga for Healthy Aging’, holds immense relevance today. As life expectancy continues to rise, it is vital that we learn the art of aging gracefully and healthily—a concept beautifully exemplified in India’s ancient civilization, where our sages and yogis sustained longevity and vibrant health through the power of yoga and spiritual discipline.”

Focus on Healthspan, Not Just Lifespan

The theme places emphasis on improving not only lifespan but also “healthspan”—the number of years a person lives in good health. Through physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation and mindfulness practices, yoga offers a comprehensive approach to maintaining mobility, emotional resilience and mental well-being throughout the ageing process.

The concept aligns with growing global efforts to promote healthy ageing amid rising life expectancy and changing demographic trends.

Scientific Interest Continues to Grow

The benefits of yoga in supporting healthy ageing are increasingly being backed by scientific research.

According to data available on PubMed Central, the number of scholarly publications focusing on “Yoga for Healthy Aging” has risen sharply over the past decade. Research papers on the subject increased from 183 in 2014 to 1,207 in 2025. The volume of publications crossed 500 in 2020 and has continued to expand steadily since then.

The growing body of evidence supports the long-standing view within India’s traditional knowledge systems that healthy ageing depends on maintaining a balance between physical, mental and social well-being.

Rising Opportunities in the Silver Economy

The focus on healthy ageing coincides with the rapid expansion of the global “silver economy,” which comprises products and services designed for senior citizens.

In India, the senior-focused economy—including healthcare, wellness services, rehabilitation, assisted living, digital health and elder care—is estimated at nearly ₹73,000 crore and is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

With people in the 45-64 age group increasingly emerging as a major consumer segment worldwide, demand for preventive healthcare and wellness-oriented lifestyles is on the rise. Yoga is increasingly being viewed as an affordable and accessible solution that supports active and healthy ageing.

PIB

Ayush Ministry’s Yoga Initiatives

The Ministry of Ayush has launched several programmes to promote yoga as a year-round wellness practice and strengthen its role in preventive healthcare.

Among them is the Ministry’s evidence-based “10 Yoga Protocols for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Target Groups,” which includes a dedicated protocol tailored for senior citizens. The programme aims to improve flexibility, balance, mobility, respiratory health and emotional well-being through age-appropriate yoga practices.

The Ministry is also advancing its “Yoga 365” initiative, which seeks to encourage daily yoga practice beyond the annual International Day of Yoga celebrations. The programme leverages technology-driven platforms and home-based practice modules to make yoga more accessible.

Another initiative, “Yoga Samavesh,” focuses on extending the benefits of yoga to vulnerable and underserved communities. Through chair yoga, low-impact exercises and community wellness sessions, the programme aims to help senior citizens maintain independence, social engagement and overall well-being.

Innovation Supporting Elder Care

The IDY 2026 theme complements broader government efforts to address the needs of India’s ageing population.

Programmes such as the Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) are promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and start-up participation in the development of elderly care solutions.

The increasing awareness of yoga’s health benefits is also creating new opportunities for wellness professionals, caregivers, digital health providers and community organisations involved in senior care. Experts expect growing demand for trained personnel capable of supporting holistic and non-clinical aspects of ageing.

A Timely Message for an Ageing World

As countries around the world adapt to changing demographic realities, the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” carries a timely and relevant message.

By encouraging preventive healthcare, active lifestyles and holistic wellness, yoga offers a practical pathway to improving quality of life across age groups. As the world prepares to mark International Day of Yoga 2026, the theme reaffirms India’s commitment to sharing a time-tested practice that promotes healthy, active and graceful ageing.

 

Also Read:

Yoga and meditation improve brain function and energy levels

India Showcases Merits of International Day of Yoga to World