Goa

Terror ecosystem almost crippled in J&K due to concerted efforts of Modi Govt: Shah

Calls upon security agencies to work in coordinated mode Strengthen border security through modern tools: HM Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 6: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today reviewed security situation in Jammu and Kashmir at a high-level meeting and reiterated the Narendra Modi Governments commitment to attain the goal of terror-free Jammu and Kashmir. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The meeting discussed innovative measures to further reinforce the watertight security cordon in the UT. Earlier in the day, [] The post Terror ecosystem almost crippled in J&K due to concerted efforts of Modi Govt: Shah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

'When told I'm 75, I said 25 yrs left': PM Modi tells students to focus on future

Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised students at 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' that education is for life, not just exams, emphasizing character and temperament over grades. He encouraged focusing on future goals rather than dwelling on past achievements, urging them to live in the present and plan for what lies ahead.

Total arrests rise to 10 in GH activist homicide case

From Our Correspondent TURA, Feb 6: West Garo Hills (WGH) Police on Friday arrested another accused in the murder of ACHIK member Dilseng M Sangma in the village of Goalgaon under Rajabala Police Station limits, taking the total number of arrests to 10. Dilseng was killed after being attacked by miscreants near the village of []

Dengue watch: Health dept turns focus on construction sites, migrant areas

NT Reporter Panaji To prevent dengue cases during the pre-transmission period, the Directorate of Health Services has decided to focus on construction sites, residential complexes and migrant settlement areas. Goa reported six positive dengue cases in January. Of these, one case each was reported from Panaji, Pernem, Bicholim and Colvale, while two cases were reported []

With urban devpt, health upgrades Canacona wont remain backward

NT Reporter Canacona The Goa government has assured accelerated urban development and strengthened health infrastructure in Canacona, with Urban Development and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday stating that the taluka will no longer be perceived as backward. Rane, who inaugurated the reconstructed Canacona municipal building, said, Canacona will be developed as per the requirements []

Centre to decide audit standards for multi-state co-op societies

NT Reporter Panaji The Union Ministry of Cooperation has said that the accounting and auditing standards for multi-state co-operative credit societies will be determined by the central government to ensure uniformity in the accounting and auditing processes. This was told by Union Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah in response to a question raised by Goa []

Mega events, MICE events drove tourism rebound in Jan: TTAG by says TTAG

NT Reporter Panaji Goas tourism sector recorded a rebound in January, driven largely by mega events and a surge in the MICE segment, said the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG). The month of January has been a fantastic month for the Tourism Industry in Goa. Certain segments have done exceptionally well, registering strong []

Build-own-transfer to be priority for highway projects in FY27: Nitin Gadkari

The government plans to boost highway construction via public-private partnerships, prioritizing the build-own-transfer model and asset monetization. With a significant budget increase for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India aims to strengthen its infrastructure to become the world's third-largest economy. Existing highways will also be monetized to further this goal.

Door-step services

EDITORIAL Govt must find out why citizens grievances arent getting resolved in the normal way Yesterday, the government resumed itsSarkar Tumchya Dari(government at your doorsteps) programme, with a new edition at Ponda. The programme was held across Goa in 2021 ahead of the last Assembly elections. Incidentally, Ponda will go to the polls within two []

Cant have any excuses in India; important to score runs whenever you bat: Devdutt Padikkal

Padikkal has made heaps of runs in domestic cricket, but has just four international caps to show for his efforts. Yet, his drive to excel is unaffected. In this conversation, the 25-year-old talks about his batting evolution, the challenges of adapting to three formats, up-skilling in a cramped calendar, dealing with the competition for places, and his near- and long-term goals

Minister Asks Government Staff To Own Up Swarna Andhra Goals

The minister asserted that the governments goal is to realise Swarna Andhra Pradesh through integrated development of Swarna gramas, Swarna wards, Swarna mandals and Swarna districts

Priyanka Chopra pens heartfelt note for Nick Jonas

Global icons Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas continue to set couple goals with their unabashed admiration for each other, both on and off social media. As Nicks latest album Sunday Best reached audiences today, Priyanka penned a heartfelt note celebrating her husband, calling him the best decision I ever made.

Beyond Mumbai & Goa: How Indias tourism map is quietly changing

India's tourism landscape is rapidly evolving beyond beaches and hills. A new generation is flocking to spiritual and heritage sites like Ayodhya and Varanasi, driven by religious revival, infrastructure growth, and social media influence. These destinations are now vibrant, year-round hubs attracting diverse travellers seeking cultural immersion and authentic experiences.

T20 WC: Saurabh Netravalkar Set For Emotional Wankhede Stadium Return With USA

When Saurabh Netravalkar: When Saurabh Netravalkar first learnt the India-USA fixture in the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup would be at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, it hit him hard. As a teenager in eighth grade, he made his first trip to the iconic venue. Whenever the train passed by the stadium, glimpses of the pitch through the window fuelled his dreams of playing professional cricket. On Saturday, that dream comes true - just not how the teenaged Netravalkar imagined it - wearing USA's navy blue and red as their pace spearhead in the away team dressing room. I was secretly hoping I would get to play on Wankhede, preferably with India. As a child, I grew up dreaming to play for India at Wankhede. But the dream is going to come true in playing for the USA. Still its going to be even more special, because it's like a full circle moment where I had actually given up on the game and then had to restart everything from scratch. I thought I had to again work my way up the rankings in USA, get noticed and then getting picked in the team and again playing internationally - it's been a long journey again, more than 7-8 years for USA itself I've been playing. So, no words to describe actually. I was emotional when I saw that - took some time to sink in, and shared with my family that its happening in Wankhede, recalls Netravalkar in an exclusive conversation with IANS. In USAs warm-up games at the DY Patil Stadium, Netravalkars family his parents, sister, wife and daughter - made their presence felt and the same will be the case on Saturday. It will be a special feeling for sure. Getting to play alongside, again in the Indian team, quite a few players from Mumbai Surya (India captain Suryakumar Yadav), Shivam (Dube), who I've played with in Mumbai as well - it will be special to play against them as well and we'll see how we go, he added. Netravalkar has picked 40 wickets in 41 T20Is for USA at an average of 22.9, and economy rate of 6.9. Half of those wickets came in the powerplay where he swings the ball back into right-handers with menacing precision. Against India at the 2024 World Cup in New York, he dismissed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to finish with 2-18 in four overs. USA surprised all by reaching the Super Eights in their maiden T20 World Cup campaign and the side will depend on Netravalkar again to make big strikes in the 1-6 and 17-20 overs. Though Netravalkar played in the 2010 Mens U19 World Cup for India and created a cricket app called CricDecode (was available on Google play store), he departed for the USA in 2015 for further engineering studies and landed a job with software giant Oracle in California. Netravalkar thought he closed the chapter on professional cricket for good, but discovered a path was there to pursue the sport again in USA. It also helped that the ICC eligibility rules for representing an associate team were reduced from seven to three years. I started playing weekend-to-weekend club cricket for fun. In my club, incidentally, there were a few players who were part of the then USA national team. They explained to me the circuit and I started playing tournaments around the USA. It was still for fun, but that's how I started using my weekends more and started training hard again. But international cricket happened in 2019 when I made my debut for USA. USA was in Division 3 at that time, a pretty low down in the ranking. But we had that opportunity to get the team up. That awakened another dream that if we keep working hard, the team keeps getting better and better, we can one day aim to play a major tournament. Gradually we moved up the ranks, got ODI status, and had Major League Cricket happen in USA in 2021. That gave us a huge boost again to play alongside top cricketers and for top franchises. Then our game really improved in those two-three years. We got our opportunity to host World Cup and then just things exponentially grew and grabbed on to those opportunities as well, he added. While cricketers in other nations are full-time players, Netravalkar juggles playing international cricket with his job in California - managing training around work hours and taking vacation time during World Cups. It's usually case by case basis. At home, obviously I manage my training around my work times. Like I will do the fitness after work and cricket training sessions, I usually do alternate days in the afternoon where I do extended lunch kind of a thing. On tour, depends on the location where I am, the time zone, which tournament, what format it is, how long it is and so I manage. If it's a short practice day, I can still work remotely for a few hours. If it's an ODI game, I'm going to be very tired and I plan my vacation around that. If it's a major tournament like a World Cup, obviously I'm going to take full vacation. I talk with my boss and I see how my work is going. As long as I get my work done, they are very supportive. In that way, it helps a lot, he said. The mental gymnastics required to maintain this balance would break most people. But not Netravalkar, who credits yoga - not as exercise, but as a life philosophy, apart from being a proficient ukulele player and follower of Vegan lifestyle. Yoga is just a philosophy of life. It's not for achieving something that I'm practicing yoga. I'm just studying knowledge like reading good books and trying to just apply it to my life just in general to be a better person. Me and my wife both follow the same path and other things just happen. For example, playing cricket or working doesn't feel like a chore anymore - it's just part of my life. It's assimilated into one life. I'm not trying to balance this versus that - they are not against each other. They complement each other. I would say it all ties down into one whole sadhana and that's how life is, he elaborated. June 6, 2024 - USA versus Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, a match that shouldn't have been close and Pakistan should have won easily. Instead, USA pulled off one of cricket's great upsets, with Netravalkar at the centre of it due to bowling the Super Over that sealed it. That was definitely a coming-of-age moment for us as a team because even leading up to the World Cup, we had two good series. We beat Canada 5-0 and then we beat Bangladesh 2-1. That gave us a big boost saying, Okay, if we are playing well, at least in our home conditions, we can give a fight to any good team. First game of the World Cup, again, we chased 190 versus Canada against all odds. Each individual somehow managed to raise their game and perform when it mattered. That's what happened in the Pakistan game - it was like all eleven or even substitute fielders came and they took a brilliant catch. It was a complete team effort - everybody contributed and that gave us a boost as a team that we can perform at the top level, he recalled. The victory and March to Super Eights wasn't just historic; it was transformative as USA cricket went from curiosity to being under spotlight overnight. Major League Cricket performances were being noticed big time - players started getting picked up for global T20 leagues - not as associate quota fillers, but as genuine overseas professionals. For Netravalkar himself, opportunities followed in the CPL and ILT20, which meant more cricket, exposure, and chances to study batters and bowlers at the highest level. It massively helps us because it started obviously with our own local league, which is a major league and again has six franchises - two based out of Australia and four are IPL-based team owners. Once you do well for them in USA, then gradually they started trusting our skills and we got gigs - like I got a CPL and ILT20 gig. Shubham (Ranjane) just played the South Africa T20 league (SA20). That is a big deal because South Africa is again a full member nation and there was no associate player quota per se. He played as a regular overseas player, and that is a big checkmark. Again, 8-9 players - Andries Gous gets picked all over. He plays all these leagues while Harmeet (Singh) got a good opportunity Sanjay (Krishnamurthi), Nosh (Nosthush Kenjige), lot of guys like Monank (Patel, captain). It was nice to see our players being recognized and being trusted as overseas players and not just as local players, he said. USA's lengthy preparation camp in Sri Lanka was about adjustment - to heat, surfaces that favour batters and spinners over pacers, conditions where 200 might be chased when 170 would be competitive back home. We'll expect the batters will try to attack the fast bowlers and maybe some good balls might also be hit. It's about maximizing your percentages and bowling the best balls, but expecting that maybe some balls might get hit. Scores might be higher here than what we see in USA, where it's usually a 160-170 kind of a game. Here we are seeing even 200 is getting chased. The pattern will be a little different and we have to try to be more unpredictable, use our variations smartly and that's about it, he said. But all considerations fade when discussing the Wankhede homecoming. It's important to enjoy the emotions as well. So, yes, I will feel nostalgic and emotional. But when I will go to execute my skills and enter the field, I hope the focus will be only on my job at hand and I'll try to soak the energy. Hopefully, there's a lot of crowd and it'll be nice to perform and try to play my best cricket. I'll give my best and will see how we go. USA faces steep odds to achieve their goal of advancing to the next stage - tough conditions, top teams. But Netravalkars definition of achievement extends beyond results. If we're making the right moves, maybe some days our execution might be off or some days the batters might just be too good for us and that's fine as well. It's about had we progressed from the last time we played and we have left no stone unturned in terms of preparation, planning and execution. If we did our best and still lose, then that's still a win. That's the best you can do as a player. If the result goes in our favour, that's great and will be historic for us again, but we'll see how we go, he said. He thinks about kids who might have watched that Pakistan victory, the way he once watched Indian heroes and copied their bowling actions with a rubber ball in his Mumbai building. As players, yes, it is a responsibility for us to get the results. But result is not controllable ultimately. It's about had we progressed from the last time we played and we have left no stone unturned in terms of preparation, planning and execution. If we did our best and still lose, then that's still a win. That's the best you can do as a player. If the result goes in our favour, that's great and will be historic for us again, but we'll see how we go, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Saturday evening at Wankhede Stadium won't distinguish between the teenaged boy who once bowled here aiming to don Indias blues and is realising his dream by sporting the USA colours. The improbable has already happened; Saturday is just the long-awaited homecoming for Netravalkar. Article Source: IANS

InvokED 2026 Brings Global and Grassroots Leaders Together as Shikshagraha Announces 2026 Awardees

Shikshagraha, a people-powered education movement working to strengthen leadership across India’s public education ecosystem, today announced the winners of the Shikshagraha Awards 2026, honouring three grassroots education leaders whose work has driven measurable, community-led change in government schools and local learning spaces. The awards were presented at InvokED 5.0, a two-day global dialogue on education leadership, organised by Shikshagraha, ShikshaLokam, and Mantra4Change, and held on 6–7 February 2026 at the Prestige Centre for Performing Arts (PCPA), Bengaluru.    The Shikshagraha awardees with the jury members at their felicitation at InvokED 5.0, 2026  Instituted by The Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI), the Shikshagraha Awards recognise leaders working both within and beyond formal education systems who are addressing systemic challenges from the ground up. Each award includes a monetary grant disbursed over two years, a trophy and certificate of excellence, structured mentorship, national visibility across Shikshagraha platforms, and opportunities to engage with policymakers, funders and peer networks. The awards are designed not only to recognise excellence, but to help practitioner-led solutions travel further and influence system-level change. Shikshagraha Awardees 2026 Batskhem Thabah (Meghalaya) — Revitalised a near-abandoned village school into a thriving, community-run learning hub by rebuilding community trust and embedding indigenous knowledge into everyday classroom practice. Kumari Guddi (Bihar) — A state-level educator advancing adolescent empowerment through menstrual health education, child protection initiatives, disaster preparedness and inclusive, activity-based learning models across schools. Nellori Subrahmanyam (Andhra Pradesh) — Reimagined rote science instruction through inquiry-led, hands-on pedagogy, reaching thousands of rural students and strengthening scientific thinking and real-world problem-solving. SD Shibulal, Co-founder of SFPI and Co-founder and Former CEO, Infosys , said, “ The Shikshagraha Awards do more than recognise individual excellence; they invest in it. By combining recognition with mentorship and sustained support, we aim to build a pipeline of leaders whose ideas and evidence can reshape education systems for millions of children .” Strategic partnership with Childaid Network Foundation Shikshagraha also announced a strategic partnership with the Childaid Network Foundation, a trust-based philanthropic network that has worked across India’s North East since 2006. Childaid’s two decades of local experience through its partners, working with 1,600 government schools and reaching roughly 200,000 children, will be combined with Shikshagraha’s national convening power to mobilise partners, resources and government relationships toward an ambitious shared goal of scaling impact to two million children. Martin Kasper, Founder & President, Childaid Network Foundation , said, “ Partnering with Shikshagraha is a strategic inflection point for Childaid Network Foundation. We hope that together we can leverage the advanced education networks and policy advocacy to help translate our twenty years of local learning in North East India into scale, mobilising partners, resources and government engagement to reach two million children .” InvokED 2026: A convening for collective leadership The Shikshagraha Awards were a central highlight of InvokED 2026, a global dialogue on education leadership that convenes policymakers, practitioners, international partners, philanthropists and young leaders to exchange evidence, surface practice-led solutions, and catalyse collective action towards education equity. The convening is designed to bridge the gap between system-level thinking and classroom realities through a mix of plenaries, fireside conversations, curated “braindates”, dialogue corners, and hands-on practice showcases. Key sessions and themes at InvokED 2026 included: Fireside Chat — “ Leadership in the New Age ”: Wendy Kopp, CEO & Co-founder, Teach For All, in conversation with Shabnam Sinha, on evolving leadership models, networked collaboration and the relationship between global strategy and grassroots practice. Systemic leadership and teacher agency: Panels and showcases exploring how district and school leaders can enable teacher-led innovation and meaningful community partnerships. 21st Century Skills in the Classroom: Learning experiences that can enable students to drive their own learning, with a focus on practices that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving, key skills for the 21st century Technology and evidence in action: “ Brain Dates ” and panels examining how AI-enabled tools and data systems can support, rather than displace, grassroots pedagogy. Vision for a Billion Futures: Insights from across the Global South, focused on accelerating large-scale education improvement for a billion learners. InvokED’s format intentionally blends storytelling with evidence, pairing short, practice-rich showcases with closed-door roundtables where state officials and frontline educators explore pathways to scale. This approach helps surface implementable insights while building the relationships required to translate ideas into policy action and funding priorities. InvokED 2026 brought together senior leaders from government, philanthropy and global education networks, including officials from the Department of School Education & Literacy and the Department of Higher Education, international education practitioners, and members of the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives.    About ShikshaLokam ShikshaLokam is an NGO founded under the aegis of The Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives. The organisation works to restore the agency of education leaders in the K-12 public education ecosystem. By doing so, leaders’ ability to continuously improve is enhanced, they are able to solve the school improvement challenges on their own, and the vision of all our children getting access to quality education as a fundamental right, will be realised.    Shikshagraha Awards which honour exceptional leaders in education.    Today, in eight plus years, ShikshaLokam has co-created continuous learning and improvement programs and solutions, impacting more than 450,000 lakhs leaders across 27 States & UTs, with 19L+ micro-improvements triggered by education leaders to enable enriching learning experiences for children.    In Jan 2023, ShikshaLokam received The Collective Social Innovation Award 2023 by The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, a sister organisation of World Economic Forum, for catalysing collective action to enable systemic education transformation in the Punjab state.   shikshalokam.org

Radhika Gupta urges investors to ignore cats and think like a goldfish amid market chaos

Amid violent swings across stocks, bonds and commodities, Edelweiss MF CEO Radhika Gupta urges investors to be goldfish investors, ignoring noise, avoiding emotional asset switches, and sticking to long-term goals, discipline and asset allocation despite short-term volatility and market cycles.

The Morning After: The Switch is officially Nintendos most popular console ever

With over 155 million sold, Nintendos Switch is officially the companys biggest console hit ever. Its been a long road to surpassing the DS , which reached 154 million consoles over its seven-year lifespan. The Switch, meanwhile, is a year shy of its 10-year anniversary. Weve seen the original console, the non-hybrid Lite and the OLED versions of the Switch over the decade, but despite being replaced by Switch 2, the original is still selling at a strong pace: 1.36 million units in Q3. Just think how many Joy-Cons it sold/ replaced ? Next goal: try to be the best-selling console of all time . Currently, thats the PlayStation 2. Nintendo is just shy of five million units to go. Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed Everything we know about Valves new Steam Machine Apple AirTag (2026) review: Simply better Presidents Day sales 2026: The best tech deals from Apple, Sony, Roku and others The best mesh Wi-Fi systems of 2026 Explained: Moltbook, the social network for AI agents Are they talking about us behind our backs? TMA TMA Moltbook is a digital petri dish, a Reddit-style forum populated entirely by AI agents that post, follow and even gossip about their owners in dedicated submolts. Built using vibe coding, its a surreal experiment in autonomous socialization though theres no shortage of user-data security flaws. Is Moltbook a profound look at the dead internet theory or just a very loud AI echo chamber? Or something in the middle? Karissa explains it all. (Sorry, Karissa.) Continue reading. Nintendos Virtual Boy is a niche slice of gaming history. Lean in. TMA Engadget Nintendos worst-selling console was probably the Virtual Boy. It sold less than 800,000 units, with only 22 games in Japan and 14 in North America. And it didnt even have the guts to launch in Europe or Australia. But Nintendo doesnt care. Its brought the Virtual Boy back, baby, as an add-on for the Switch 2, in all its red monochrome 90s-tech glory. And we finally got to test it. It even includes the original bipod, which you use to prop it up and lean into it. Yes, you still cant just wear the thing like modern VR headsets. The Switch 2 console, sans Joy-Cons, then slides in, acting as display, battery and processor. It seems more of a historical nod than anything else. This is pretty much 30-year-old VR tech, as-is. But I still want one as a gaming objet dart. A hundred bucks is a fair chunk of change for that, though. Read on for our full impressions. Continue reading. Surprise! Google teases the Pixel 10a Pre-orders open later this month. TMA Google Google posted a teaser video revealing its new entry-level smartphone, the Pixel 10a, in a lovely lilac colorway. We dont know much more, however. You can see its another dual-camera Pixel, with that same flush body which I like. (How does that already seem retro?) Leaks suggest a 6.3-inch display and a large 5,100 mAh battery. It otherwise looks and seems like the Pixel 9a, although Google promises that theres more in store. Last years A-series launched at $500 will this land at a similar price? You can pre-order the Pixel 10a on February 18. Continue reading. AMD suggests a 2027 launch for next-gen Xbox Shouldnt Microsoft be saying this? AMD CEO Lisa Su revealed on the companys latest earnings call that Microsofts development of an Xbox with a semi-custom SOC from AMD is progressing well to support a launch in 2027. Maybe Microsoft can chase that best-selling console crown too? Continue reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-the-switch-is-officially-nintendos-most-popular-console-ever-121500738.html?src=rss

Forced Selfies With Foreigners On Beaches To Invite Detention: Goa Police

Police action has been initiated after several instances of domestic tourists clicking pictures of foreign women and insisting on selfies on beaches have surfaced.

Quote of the day by Pablo Picasso: 'Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone'

Pablo Picasso's powerful quote confronts procrastination, urging immediate action on what truly matters. His life exemplified this urgency through relentless creation and reinvention. In today's distracted world, his words serve as a vital reminder to commit to meaningful goals and creative ambitions without delay.

German machinery exports to India to rise 10-15 pc in 2026: Industry body

German machinery exports to India are set for a significant boost. Industry experts predict a 10-15% growth in 2026, especially after the India-EU free trade agreement is implemented. This agreement will unlock new opportunities for commerce. German technology is crucial for India's manufacturing goals. Germany is already India's largest EU trading partner.

India Has Set Bold Goals, We Must Deliver: Astronaut Shukla

Shukla said India is already working on the Gaganyaan mission. We are working to have our own space station, followed by a mission on the Moon, he said. The Gaganyaan project is an ambitious space programme to launch a 3-member crew into an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission

India has set bold goals, we must deliver: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla highlighted India's bold aspirations, from Viksit Bharat by 2047 to future space missions. He stressed that citizens share the responsibility to achieve these goals. Shukla spoke about the Gaganyaan mission and plans for a space station and a Moon mission. He shared personal anecdotes from his Axiom-4 mission and his time on the International Space Station.

John Eck on Turnaround Leadership and Building Enduring Value

How disciplined leadership, cultural clarity, and conviction guided Mattress Firm from bankruptcy to a $5 billion sale and shaped a career defined by complex transformation When companies emerge from bankruptcy, survival is often treated as success. Stability becomes the goal. Growth is optional. Long-term relevance is uncertain. Few organizations move beyond recovery to deliver durable value at scale. While this paradigm may be true for a public company, a bankruptcy funded by private equity requires a different mindset with the [] The post John Eck on Turnaround Leadership and Building Enduring Value appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Focus Not Only On Marks But Also On Improving Life: PM Modi To Students

New Delhi, Feb 6 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday advised students not to waste time on internet just because data is cheap in the country and focus on honing their life and educational skills. Education should not be a burden and everyone should be totally involved as half-hearted education does not make life successful, he said while interacting with students in the ninth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026. Our goal should be such that it [] The post Focus Not Only On Marks But Also On Improving Life: PM Modi To Students appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Goals Dont Change Your Life. Systems Do. Heres Why

You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. James Clear, Atomic Habits Why Goals Feel Powerful

Bangalore Watch Company Opens Flagship Boutique

Bangalore Watch Company ™ (BWC), an Indian luxury watch brand known for its contemporary collections inspired by India’s modern stories, announces the opening of its flagship boutique in Bangalore’s prestigious Lavelle Road.   Bangalore Watch Company’s first flagship boutique, a space to experience our watches and stories   The new 1,800 sq. ft. space marks an important milestone in BWC’s journey. Designed as an experience center rather than a conventional retail store, the boutique showcases the brand’s complete range of collections and features a dedicated customer lounge, a space for hosting masterclasses, and watch community events.   On display from the brand’s archives are rare pieces of Meteorites, a watch made of material recovered from a fighter-plane, and the first Indian-made watch that went to Space.   “ Over time, we’ve built a strong community of watch owners across 30 countries. Many of them are frequent flyers who often make a stop at our studio in South Bangalore ,” said Mercy Amalraj, Co-founder of the brand . “ While that space has been perfect for one-on-one interactions, the new boutique is designed to be open, engaging, and a perfect setting for showcasing our watches and technical capabilities. Located in central Bangalore, it allows us to host more people, events, and conversations — creating a space that truly reflects the community that has grown with us .”   The boutique is situated in one of Bangalore’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, home to some of the city’s finest cafés, design houses, and prestigious retail stores. Its central location makes it easily accessible to visitors, positioning BWC at the crossroads of the city’s lifestyle, design, and watch communities.   “ This boutique represents the next chapter for us ,” said Nirupesh Joshi, Co-founder of Bangalore Watch Company . “ From the beginning, our goal has been to create an Indian luxury watch brand that connects deeply with people through meaningful stories. With this space, we want to offer our community a place where those stories can be experienced, not just seen .”   “ We’ve always believed that ownership goes beyond the product ,” added Mercy . “ The boutique allows us to meet our customers in person, host them for intimate gatherings, and create experiences that bring together watch lovers from across the country .”   “ BWC has always been more than a watch company from Bangalore to me... As one of their first customers, it has been an absolute pleasure to witness their evolution — from their nascency online, to their cozy studio, and now to their flagship boutique in the heart of the city. This moment felt like a shared milestone for both the brand and its community of loyal owners, and I couldn’t be more proud ,” said Mr. Vinay Somashekhar, customer since 2019.   BWC envisions the boutique as more than just a place to discover watches — it aims to become an anchor for the growing watch community in Bangalore, and eventually, one of the top experiences for visitors to the city from around the world.   About Bangalore Watch Company™ Founded in 2018, Bangalore Watch Company™ creates high-quality mechanical watches that tell stories of a 21st-century India. Drawing inspiration from Aviation, Cricket, Space, and the Great Outdoors, each collection captures modern Indian narratives that go far beyond stereotypes.   With several firsts to its name including watches made from recovered fighter planes and aircraft carrier materials, India’s first watch qualified for Spaceflight, and a proprietary Cerasteel™ material that is a fusion of Steel and Ceramic, the brand blends storytelling with technical innovation and contemporary design. Recognised by leading global publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, and Hodinkee for its originality and craftsmanship, Bangalore Watch Company™ stands at the forefront of modern Indian watchmaking.   Founded by husband-and-wife team Nirupesh Joshi and Mercy Amalraj who left their tech careers overseas to pursue a passion for modern Indian storytelling, the brand has built a quiet but enthusiastic following with customers in over 30 countries.

Thinking of pausing your mutual fund SIPs? A 6 month gap may cost you Rs 2 lakh additional loss

Pausing Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) can significantly impact long-term wealth accumulation by disrupting rupee cost averaging and missing out on compounding, especially during market dips. While temporary pauses for genuine emergencies are understandable, frequent or fear-driven breaks can derail financial goals and lead to substantial losses.

Liquid-plus funds turn more attractive for short play as yields rise

Rising short-term bond yields have made liquid-plus funds an attractive option for investors seeking to park idle money for three to six months. These funds offer better returns than bank deposits, with yields on various short-term securities climbing significantly in recent months. Experts suggest considering these funds for near-term financial goals.

J&K wins 3rd Goal Shot Ball Federation Cup

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 5: Jammu and Kashmir emerged victorious in the 3rd Goal Shot Ball Federation Cup, organized by the Goal Shot Ball Association of Tamil Nadu. Led by Captain Chandan Singh, J&K defeated Maharashtra in the final to clinch the title trophy. Key team members included Sanjay Manhas, Gourav Sharma, Vikas Sharma and Rohit Vadan. The gold-winning team was felicitated by Sanjeev Verma, Chief Election Commissioner, J&K, who appreciated their outstanding performance. The event was also attended [] The post J&K wins 3rd Goal Shot Ball Federation Cup appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Scorpio Daily Horoscope for February 06, 2026

You are likely to be in a more serious frame of mind. The practical issues of life are going to demand your attention today. But you are full of faith and optimism and are ready to take chances at the deepest emotional levels. Someone near to you will exhibit concerns regarding your aims and goals. Take the time to explain the situation to them. Read full Scorpio horoscope

I wanted a new challenge and a new opportunity to make an impact in a new league: David Harte

The Irish shot-stopper, who rates Tamil Nadu Dragons teammate Prince Deep highly, talks about the evolution of goalkeeping, the value of experience and enjoying the pressure moments

AP CM Exempts GST on Works By Irrigation, Water Associations

Chief Minister asked irrigation associations to work with a clear goal of ensuring water supply to every acre of farmland

'India is not missing any bus, it is leading the convoy': PM Modi hails Viksit Bharat Goal

VinFast India Partners with Bank of Baroda to Deliver Dealer Invoice Financing Solutions

VinFast Auto India , a subsidiary of the global EV brand VinFast, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bank of Baroda, India's leading public sector bank, to provide dealer invoice financing for its exclusive dealer network, delivering a seamless suite of credit solutions that accelerates network expansion and supports VinFast’s growth strategy in the market.   Mr. Pham Sanh Chau (right), CEO of VinFast Asia, and Mr. D. Ananda Kumar, General Manager – Supply Chain Finance, Bank of Baroda, at the signing ceremony   Under the dealer finance tie-up, Bank of Baroda will extend INR 200 Cr finance to VinFast dealers on flexible terms. The collaboration enables VinFast to leverage Bank of Baroda’s extensive pan-India branch network and digital platforms to reach customers across both urban and emerging markets. It also aligns with the company’s broader goal of accelerating the adoption of sustainable transportation solutions in India, one of the fastest-growing EV markets globally.   The MoU was signed by Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, along with Mr. Madhur Kumar, Chief General Manager - MSME Banking, Co-Lending, and Supply Chain Finance and Mr. D Ananda Kumar, General Manager, Supply Chain Finance BANK OF BARODA at Baroda Corporate Centre, BANK OF BARODA, Mumbai.   Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia , shared: “ The shift to electric mobility succeeds when customers and dealers have the right tools and support. Our partnership with Bank of Baroda is a step towards building that ecosystem, providing hassle-free financing solutions that make it easier for dealers to manage inventory. By working together, we are ensuring a smoother ownership experience and making EV adoption more reassuring for our customers, while advancing India’s path toward greener transportation .”   Mr. Madhur Kumar, Chief General Manager - MSME Banking, Co-Lending, and Supply Chain Finance, Bank  of Baroda, said,: “ As EV adoption accelerates, access to financing will play a vital role in driving this transition. Our collaboration with VinFast will offer dealers convenient credit solutions tailored to its premium EV lineup, reflecting the Bank’s broader commitment to sustainability. Such partnerships also help us empower our customers to achieve their green mobility aspirations with ease .”   After just one year of presence, VinFast has steadily made its mark in India’s electric vehicle market through a long-term development strategy, a premium product portfolio, and the establishment of a comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem covering manufacturing, retail, charging infrastructure, and after-sales services. With a firm commitment to innovation, sustainable development, and a user centric approach, VinFast continues to contribute to the transition toward green mobility and the long-term growth of India’s automotive industry.   About VinFast VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast’s product lineup today includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, and e-buses.   VinFast is currently embarking on its next growth phase through rapid expansion of its distribution and dealership network globally and increasing its manufacturing capacities with a focus on key markets across North America, Europe and Asia.   vinfastauto.in ,   About Bank of Baroda Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks having PAN India presence. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of over ~180 million through around 65,000 touch points spread across 15 countries in five continents and through its various digital banking platforms, which provide all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner. The Bank’s vision matches the aspirations of its diverse clientele base and seeks to instill a sense of trust and security in all their dealings with the Bank.   bankofbaroda.bank.in .

Cristiano Ronaldo turns 41: Career goals, records, achievements and net worth

Cristiano Ronaldo, a global football icon, continues to defy age with his unparalleled goalscoring prowess and relentless ambition. Now 41, he boasts 961 career goals and a trophy-laden career, with the FIFA World Cup still a dream. Beyond the pitch, his commercial empire solidifies his status as a sporting billionaire, proving his hunger for greatness remains undimmed.

Truevis Technologies and Neusoft Medical Systems Sign MoU for 300 Radiology Centers with SMC Clinics

Revolutionizing Medtech Access and Empowering Radiologists Forecasts to invest an estimated Rs. 1,000 cr over 5 years One clinic setup requires an estimated Rs. 3.5 cr for an independent radiologist Reaching over 1 million patients annually   Truevis Technologies Pvt Limited , a leading manufacturer in the med-tech sector, and Neusoft Medical Systems signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SMC Clinics, an initiative of Swadhin Trust powered by Tripura Santiniketan Medical College and Hospital. In a landmark move to bridge India's widening med-tech gap especially amid the escalating cancer crisis and capitalize on the sector's post-Budget 2026 surge, this partnership aims to establish 300 clinician-owned diagnostic centers in Tier I, Tier II towns over the next five years, reaching over 1 million patients annually forecasting an investment of Rs. 1000 cr in 5 years. India grapples with a surging cancer burden, with approximately 1.46 million new cases in 2022 (ICMR estimates), projected to exceed 1.5 million by 2026 and rise to around 1.57 million by 2030. Early detection through advanced imaging is critical, yet access remains limited in semi-urban and rural areas. India's med-tech sector faces a stark shortfall: valued at approximately $14 billion today, it lags far behind the $50 billion required by 2030 to meet rising healthcare demands (NITI Aayog estimates). High import dependency (70-80% of equipment), capital-intensive setups, and limited access exacerbate the divide. The Union Budget 2026-27 supercharged growth prospects, with Rs. 40,000 crore for electronics components manufacturing aiding med-tech devices and diagnostics; Rs. 10,000 crore Biopharma SHAKTI scheme over five years for biopharma hubs, indirectly benefiting med-tech integration; and expanded Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for sectors like white goods (Rs. 1,004 crore) and ongoing medical devices PLI (Rs. 3,420 crore base through 2028), projecting a 15-20% CAGR through 2030 driving domestic manufacturing, affordability, and innovation. This MoU directly tackles the cancer crisis by deploying advanced imaging equipment (X-Ray, Mammography, Ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET-CT) across 300 centers. These clinician-owned facilities will enable early-stage cancer detection vital for improving survival rates while cutting costs by up to 30% through local supply chains. By empowering radiologists in Tier I and Tier II towns, the initiative ensures affordable, high-quality diagnostics for over 1 million patients yearly, reducing treatment delays, easing hospital overload, and supporting India's goal of universal healthcare access. This partnership positions Truevis, Neusoft, and SMC Clinics at the forefront, offering a clinician-centric model where radiologists retain full ownership while partners handle backend hurdles like technology procurement and operations. Key Partnership Roles Truevis Technologies and Neusoft Medical Systems (Technology Partner): With their Make in India initiative, the companies will deliver end-to-end support for sourcing advanced imaging equipment, vendor coordination, installation, and lifecycle maintenance at preferential rates leveraging Budget-boosted local supply chains. SMC Clinics (Service & Enablement Partner): Manages operational planning, referral networks, branding, and draws on Swadhin Trust's institutional expertise for nationwide rollout. " This MoU isn't just about scaling diagnostics it’s a game-changer for access to patient care, empowering radiologists to build Indian healthcare for the future, especially in tackling cancer's rise. This will help retain highly skilled medical professionals for better care and accessibility in Tier II, Tier III towns and beyond ," said a spokesperson from Truevis Technologies Pvt Ltd. " This collaboration is a direct response to India's med-tech shortfall and cancer surge, amplified by Budget 2026's push for self-reliance and Make in India. By empowering radiologists to own their practices, we're fostering entrepreneurship, improving early cancer detection, and enhancing treatment outcomes in underserved areas ," added a Spokesperson from SMC Clinics-Swadhin Trust. The initiative prioritizes urban and semi-urban expansion, reducing dependence on corporate chains and promoting affordable, high-quality diagnostics amid the sector's projected boom. About Truevis Technologies Pvt Ltd. Truevis Technologies Private Limited is a pioneering MedTech company redefining healthcare through manufacturing-led availability of advanced radiology, radiotherapy, and hemodialysis equipment. Delivering end-to-end solutions via its MaaS platform including call center support, after-sales service, project management, consultancy, and comprehensive maintenance contracts Truevis empowers businesses with scalable, customer-centric operations aligned to Make in India and Viksit Bharat initiatives. With a mission to bridge global innovation and local accessibility, the company drives digital transformation, reduces import dependency, and fosters self-reliance in high-end diagnostics like PET-CT and MRI systems.

India's ACC battery demand to rise to 700GWh by mid-2040s from 28GWh in 2025: Report

India's battery demand is set for massive growth. By the mid-2040s, Advanced Chemistry Cell battery needs will surge to over 700 GWh. This expansion is driven by electric mobility and energy storage goals. The Viksit Bharat Vision 2047 hinges on this growth. Electric vehicles will dominate demand, with stationary storage also accelerating. This presents a significant opportunity for domestic manufacturing.

Paracoat Products Champions Sustainable Innovation with Agro-Material Composite Granules at Plast India Expo 2026

Paracoat Products Limited, a Pioneer NVH solutions manufacturer is set to make a significant impact at Plast India Expo 2026, taking place from February 5-10, with the launch of its latest innovation - agro-material reinforced polypropylene composite masterbatch granules. This breakthrough underscores Paracoat’s commitment to sustainability and positions the company at the forefront of eco-efficient material solutions for the automotive and industrial sectors.   Paracoat Products Limited, a pioneer in NVH solutions, presents its agro-material reinforced polypropylene composite masterbatch granules at Plast India Expo 2026   Plastic waste has emerged as one of the most pressing global environmental challenges, with India at the forefront of this crisis. The country currently generates an alarming 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually - accounting for nearly 20 percent of the world’s total plastic pollution. This mounting problem not only threatens ecosystems but also places immense pressure on India’s waste management systems and climate commitments.   Paracoat addresses this challenge with composite granules developed using agro waste generated from jute, bamboo, wheat and rice cultivation enabling up to 50% reduction in plastic consumption. By converting agro-waste into valuable raw material, the company is helping India tackle two critical challenges: reducing reliance on fossil fuels and preventing the burning of agricultural residues, a major contributor to air pollution. The innovation delivers 24% lower CO emissions compared to virgin plastics, aligning with India’s climate action goals and commitment to sustainable industrial growth. Engineered for seamless integration with injection and extrusion technologies, the granules can be blended effortlessly with existing polymer formulations. Manufacturers gain the flexibility to customize bio-filler loading while maintaining superior mechanical properties, dimensional stability, and productivity.   Mr. Rajesh Poddar, CEO at Paracoat Products Ltd. said, “At Paracoat Products, we believe the future of plastics must be defined by harmony between ecological balance and technological innovation. By harnessing agricultural residues as bio-fillers in our thermoplastic composites, we are setting new benchmarks for sustainable manufacturing. This initiative not only cuts carbon emissions but also directly supports India’s vision for a circular economy while tackling the pressing issue of air pollution caused by burning agro-waste.”   Paracoat is embedding this sustainability breakthrough into its own product portfolio, with applications across parcel shelves, door trims, cladding covers, and other automotive and industrial components. By integrating agro-material composites into its products, Paracoat demonstrates how Indian industry can lead by example in advancing the government’s vision of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” while fostering innovation-driven growth.   With this launch, Paracoat Products Limited reinforces its role as a frontrunner in sustainable innovation. The company’s participation at Plast India Expo 2026 will highlight how industry-led initiatives can accelerate India’s transition toward eco-efficient manufacturing, reduce plastic dependency, and create value from agricultural residues in line with national priorities.   About Paracoat Founded in 1989, Paracoat Products Limited is a leading Tier-1 supplier specializing in Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) management solutions for the global automotive industry. The company partners with leading OEMs worldwide to deliver world-class NVH, thermal and interior solutions that enhance vehicle performance, comfort and durability. With strategically located manufacturing facilities across India and Thailand, supported by a state-of-the-art R&D centre in Gurugram, PCP is well-equipped to address the evolving needs of the automotive sector.   Driven by continuous innovation and technological advancement, PCP focuses on delivering customer-centric, tailored solutions. The company’s commitment to quality and operational excellence is reflected in its certifications, including IATF 16949 and ISO 45001. As a responsible corporate entity, PCP is deeply committed to sustainability, adopting energy-efficient processes and developing environmentally friendly products to reduce its ecological footprint while adhering to the highest industry standards.

Centre and states working on GST e-way bill revamp, official says

The central government is working with states to improve the e-way bill system. This reform aims to make logistics smoother and reduce trade costs. The proposed changes will be presented at the upcoming GST Council meeting. The goal is to use technology for better tracking and compliance. This will help businesses move goods more efficiently across the country.

Jagtial Jatara animal sacrifice horror: Devotees bite over 50 goats to death, videos spark massive controversy

Bheemanna Jatara: Outrage erupted in Jagtial district after videos showed men killing goats by biting their throats during a traditional ritual. The event occurred at the Bheemanna Jatara in Raikal. Animal rights activists captured the shocking acts. Police registered an FIR against the organisers for violating animal sacrifice laws. Locals defended the practice as a long-standing tradition.

Pakistan needs 30 million jobs in next decade: World Bank chief

Pakistan faces a critical challenge to generate 25 to 30 million jobs in the next decade. World Bank President Ajay Banga stresses this is vital to harness its youth bulge for economic growth. Failure risks instability and increased outward migration. The World Bank is committed to supporting Pakistan's job creation goals through investment and reforms.

Devotees sacrifice 50 goats by biting their throats in Telangana, FIR filed

Hyderabad: In a disturbing incident, devotees attending the Bheemanna Jatara in Telanganas Jagtial sacrificed 50 goats by biting their throats on Tuesday, February 3. Some animal rights activists approached the police and filed a complaint with the Jagtial police regarding the incident. Speaking to Siasat.com, Raikal police said that a case has been registered under Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Civil Aviation Minister reviews progress in drone R&D, component mfg activities

NEW DELHI, Feb 4 : Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday reviewed the progress of drone research and development, as well as component manufacturing activities. At the meeting, the minister said the aim is to make India the third-largest drone market globally by 2030, according to a release issued by the ministers office. Our emphasis is firmly on indigenous technology. Making India the third-largest drone market in the world is not just an aspiration, but a clear goal [] The post Civil Aviation Minister reviews progress in drone R&D, component mfg activities appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

India thrash Bhutan to set up SAFF U19 Women's Championship final clash with Bangladesh

Pearl Fernandes (16, 39, 41) scored a first-half hat-trick, while Pritika Barman (25, 90) got one goal in each half for India. Alisha Lyngdoh (6), Abhista Basnett (10), and Divyani Linda (17) netted one apiece

Blue Tigresses defeat Zvezda-2005 Perm, notch third friendly win in Turkiye

Anju Tamang scored the early goal in the ninth minute, before Lynda Kom Serto netted late on the 89th to secure the win for the Blue Tigresses

Trafficking victims fake identities pose major challenge to police

Amresh Parab Panaji: One of the most heinous crimes plaguing the society is human trafficking involving illegal trade of humans for sexual exploitation, with Goa police now facing a new challenge from the traffickers, who provide fake identities to the victims. According to sources in police, this is done to derail investigation when the victims []

'Shipbuilding schemes set for FY27 rollout': Sarbananda Sonowal

The government will prioritize executing shipping schemes in 2026-27. Key goals include launching three shipbuilding schemes on time and accelerating five National Mega Shipbuilding Clusters. The ministry aims to add significant new capacity over the next three to five years. This focus will boost reliability and create jobs across the maritime sector.

Goa completely ignored, financially short-changed in Union Budget: Cong

NT Reporter Panaji Congress on Wednesday said that the Union Budget 2026-27 has exposed what it termed as hollow claims made by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during his post-Budget press conference. Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Amit Patkar said that despite tall rhetoric of a visionary, people-centric and growth-oriented Budget, the ground reality is that []

Goas Pearl shines for India

Her hattrick hands them a 6-0 win over Bhutan and book final date with Bangladesh Panaji: Goas Pearl Fernandes netted a hattrick to seal Indian U-17 womens team an 8-0 win over Bhutan in their final round-robin fixture of the SAFF U-19 Womens Championship at the Pokhara Rangasala Stadium on Wednesday. Pearl Fernandes (16, 39, []

Novotel Hyderabad Airport Brings Coastal Flavours to City with Goan Food Pop-Up

Novotel Hyderabad Airport has launched a Goan Food Pop-Up at Food Exchange from February 5th to 7th, 7 PM to 11 PM, showcasing traditional Goan dishes.

Anthropic says it won't bring ads to Claude, unlike rival ChatGPT

Anthropic has announced that its chatbot Claude will remain ad-free . This is in direct contrast to rival company OpenAI, which recently brought ads to ChatGPT for many users. The company says that including ads in conversations with Claude would be incompatible with the chatbot becoming a genuinely helpful assistant for work and for deep thinking. The reasoning here is rather simple. People tend to share personal details with chatbots, for better or for worse , and getting ads based on that stuff would be creepy. Imagine asking for mental health advice and getting an ad for St. John's wort or something. Anthropic notes that other conversations involve complex software engineering tasks, deep work or thinking through difficult problems. The appearance of ads in these contexts would feel incongruousand, in many cases, inappropriate. The company said that integrating advertising would work against the Claude Constitution , which counts being generally helpful as a core principle. Introducing advertising incentives at this stage would add another level of complexity. Our understanding of how models translate the goals we set them into specific behaviors is still developing; an ad-based system could therefore have unpredictable results, it writes in a blog post. There are some real world concerns here. AI companies gobble up all money in sight and the returns haven't exactly been stellar . Ads are an easy way to recoup some of that investment, which is likely why OpenAI went that route. Engadget reached out to Anthropic to inquire about any kind of forthcoming financial hurdles that could force it to change course. A representative pointed to today's blog post and said it's all the information we have to share at this time. We do know that Anthropic remains committed to commerce-based agentic AI. It said it will continue to build features that enable our users to find, compare or buy products, connect with businesses and more. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-says-it-wont-bring-ads-to-claude-unlike-rival-chatgpt-171243642.html?src=rss

iPhone Fold rumors: Everything we know so far, including the leaked foldable design

Apples long-rumored foldable iPhone hasnt been announced yet, but after years of speculation, it seems like this device could finally be coming out soon(ish). Multiple sources claim that Apple could be targeting a late-2026 launch for its first foldable phone, and new rumors suggest the company is even already thinking about its second model, which could be a clamshell-style foldable iPhone. But of course, nothing is official yet. Plans can change, features can be dropped and timelines can slip. Still, recent reports paint the clearest picture yet of how Apple might approach a foldable iPhone and how it plans to differentiate itself from rivals like Samsung and Google. Here, weve rounded up the most credible iPhone Fold rumors so far, covering its possible release timing, design, display technology, cameras and price. Well continue to update this post as more rumors and details become available. When could the iPhone Fold launch? Rumors of a foldable iPhone date back as far as 2017, but more recent reporting suggests Apple has finally locked onto a realistic window. Most sources now point to fall 2026, likely alongside the iPhone 18 lineup. Mark Gurman has gone back and forth on timing, initially suggesting Apple could launch as early as 2026, before later writing that the device would ship at the end of 2026 and sell primarily in 2027 . Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also repeatedly cited the second half of 2026 as Apples target. Some reports still claim the project could slip into 2027 if Apple runs into manufacturing or durability issues, particularly around the hinge or display. Given Apples history of delaying products that it feels arent ready, that remains a real possibility. What will the iPhone Fold look like? Current consensus suggests Apple has settled on a book-style foldable design, similar to Samsungs Galaxy Z Fold series, rather than a clamshell flip phone. When unfolded, the iPhone Fold is expected to resemble a small tablet like the iPad mini (8.3 inches). Based on the rumor mill, though, the iPhone Fold may be a touch smaller, with an internal display measuring around 7.7 to 7.8 inches. When closed, it should function like a conventional smartphone, with an outer display in the 5.5-inch range. CAD leaks and alleged case-maker molds suggest the device may be shorter and wider than a standard iPhone when folded, creating a squarer footprint that better matches the aspect ratio of the inner display. Several reports have also pointed to the iPhone Air as a potential preview of Apples foldable design work, with its unusually thin chassis widely interpreted as a look at what one half of a future foldable iPhone could resemble. If that theory holds, it could help explain the Folds rumored dimensions. Thickness is expected to land between roughly 4.5 and 5.6mm when unfolded, putting it in a similar range to the iPhone Air, and just over 9 to 11mm when folded, depending on the final hinge design and internal layering. iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air Engadget Display and the crease question The display is arguably the biggest challenge for any foldable phone, and its an area where Apple appears to have invested years of development. Multiple reports say Apple will rely on Samsung Display as its primary supplier. At CES 2026, Samsung showcased a new crease-less foldable OLED panel , which several sources including Bloomberg suggested could be the same technology Apple plans to use. According to these reports, the panel combines a flexible OLED with a laser-drilled metal support plate that disperses stress when folding. The goal is a display with a nearly invisible crease, something Apple reportedly considers essential before entering the foldable market. If Apple does use this panel, it would mark a notable improvement over current foldables, which still show visible creasing under certain lighting conditions. Cameras and biometrics Camera rumors suggest Apple is planning a four-camera setup. That may include: Two rear cameras (main and ultra-wide, both rumored at 48MP) One punch-hole camera on the outer display One under-display camera on the inner screen Several sources claim Apple will avoid Face ID entirely on the iPhone Fold. Instead, its expected to rely on Touch ID built into the power button, similar to recent iPad models. This would allow Apple to keep both displays free of notches or Dynamic Island cutouts. Under-display camera technology has historically produced lower image quality, but a rumored 24MP sensor would be a significant step up compared to existing foldables, which typically use much lower-resolution sensors. iPhone Folds hinge and materials The hinge is another area where Apple may diverge from competitors. Multiple reports claim Apple will use Liquidmetal, which is a long-standing trade name for a metallic glass alloy the company has previously used in smaller components. While often referred to as liquid metal or Liquid Metal in reports, Liquidmetal is the branding Apple has historically associated with the material. Liquidmetal is said to be stronger and more resistant to deformation than titanium, while remaining relatively lightweight. If accurate, this could help improve long-term durability and reduce wear on the foldable display. Leaks from Jon Prosser also reference a metal plate beneath the display that works in tandem with the hinge to minimize creasing a claim that aligns with reporting from Korean and Chinese supply-chain sources. Battery and other components Battery life is another potential differentiator. According to Ming-Chi Kuo and multiple Asian supply-chain reports , Apple is testing high-density battery cells in the 5,000 to 5,800mAh range. That would make it the largest battery ever used in an iPhone, and competitive with (or larger than) batteries in current Android foldables. The device is also expected to use a future A-series chip and Apples in-house modem. Price None of this will come cheap, thats for certain. Nearly every report agrees that the iPhone Fold will be Apples most expensive iPhone ever. Estimates currently place the price between $2,000 and $2,500 in the US. Bloomberg has said the price will be at least $2,000, while other analysts have narrowed the likely range to around $2,100 and $2,300. That positions the iPhone Fold well above the iPhone Pro Max and closer to Apples high-end Macs and iPads. Despite years of rumors, theres still plenty that remains unclear. Apple hasnt confirmed the name iPhone Fold, final dimensions, software features or how iOS would adapt to a folding form factor. Durability, repairability and long-term reliability are also open questions. For now, the safest assumption is that Apple is taking its time and that many of these details could still change before launch. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/iphone-fold-rumors-everything-we-know-so-far-including-the-leaked-foldable-design-130000349.html?src=rss

Numaish: When Hyderabads women go bonkers and men become bag holders

Hyderabad:Numaish and Hyderabad are made for each other. In fact, if Hyderabad ever applied for a soulmate, the All-India Industrial Exhibition fondly and forever called Numaish would win hands down. For Hyderabadis, the New Year doesnt begin with fireworks or new me, new goals drama. It begins with the familiar question: Chalo Numaish Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Indonesia-Japan defense ties: Shared goals, different threat views

In recent years, Indonesia has stepped up defense cooperation with key regional partners in the Indo-Pacific.In ...

Vizag to host Supercross Championship finale on Feb. 7

The championship has already travelled to the cities of Vadodara, Combatore, Nasik, Raipur and Goa, and will now come to Visakhapatnam.

WPL 2026: Delhi Capitals Backed By Former Coach To End Trophy Jinx On Fourth Attempt

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Delhi Capitals will attempt to shake off three successive final defeats when they face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) decider clash in Vadodara on Thursday, with the sides former fielding coach Milap Mewada backing the side to finally break their jinx in the title clash. DC have always reached the WPLs summit clash since the tournament's inception in 2023, but are yet to lift the trophy, a record that weighs on a squad now led by Jemimah Rodrigues in her first season as their captain. Their route to this year's WPL final was far from smooth - they lost three of their first four matches, before DC clawed back in the Vadodara leg by winning four out of five games to finish third in the league stage and then eliminated Gujarat Giants in the eliminator clash, indicating that they are peaking at the right time. According to me, the mind works towards a feeling that whenever you walk on the road and fall down, you always have that fear of falling down again after reaching a certain point. But in order to avoid, remove or nullify this, first of all you have to be very positive. Second, every day is a new day and its another game of cricket. Here, the thing is you have to work out a little bit on a game plan and take some good suitable decisions in the final. Plus, this is like a new place where they will play the final and the only thing DC have to do is to believe in themselves now and believe in this momentum, said Mewada, who kept track of DCs progress while being busy with his commitments as Goa senior mens team head coach, to IANS on Wednesday. DC have emerged as the tournament's most efficient fielding unit, with their catching percentage at 83.6 percent, according to data provided by CricViz analysts embedded with the franchises scouting team. They held 41 chances and dropped only eight across nine matches, thus placing them comfortably ahead of finalists RCB, which stands at 79 percent. While they looked initially out of sorts, DCs bowling attack has picked up pace as the season progressed. Four DC bowlers feature in the tournament's top 10 wicket-takers the impressive young pacer Nandni Sharma (16 wickets), left-arm spinner N Sree Charani (14), as well as overseas seam-bowling all-rounders Chinelle Henry (12) and Marizanne Kapp (10). Delhi Capitals were the best fielding side in the league by objective measures. The group assessed Vadodara conditions early, where the pitch was lower-scoring compared to DY Patil, and adjusted their approach accordingly. Jemimahs captaincy improved over the season. Even during losses, selection and messaging stayed consistent, which helped maintain morale. The team made only two changes across the entire tournament, the fewest in the league, aiding continuity. Batters largely played straight, and bowlers consistently kept the stumps in play, which suited the conditions, said CricViz analysts, who are a part of the DC scouting team, to IANS. Mewada, who was in the DC camp when they lost the WPL 2025 final to Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium, listed his advice for the side ahead of the title clash at BCA Stadium. First thing, they do not have to think that we have been a fourth time finalist and we could not win. But there could be reasons behind being a fourth time finalist. That means, there is something in you. At least, you are consistent in being the finalists. Number two is, you handle yourself well for that particular three hours. That's as simple as it is. You have to handle yourself and take good decisions, which is most important. Take very good decisions and play peacefully. So, I think, they can make it to the trophy this time, as everybody has that belief. As per the analysts, the fate of DC in the final against Smriti Mandhana-led RCB will depend on how openers Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee fare, especially in the face of in-form new-ball pacer Lauren Bell. The explosive batting duo have three 50-plus stands (all of them resulting in wins) in nine innings so far, the most by any opening pair this season. Their partnership has averaged 40.11 runs (the fourth highest for a batting pair in WPL), while their highest partnership of 94 came at a brisk run rate of 8.84 and smacking 75 in the power-play in the Eliminator showcased their ability to combine aggression with stability. Though they havent yet registered a century stand, their aggregate of 361 is the second-highest partnership total in the tournament, only behind 383 runs made by Smriti and Grace Harris. The moment I saw Lizelle Lee batting in WPL for the first time, I felt she is actually made for opening in white ball cricket. DCs plan should be in a way that Lizelle and Shafali bat for beyond 6-8 overs. If they can do this and even when they are chasing, like if it's 200, then it is possible, as both of them are game changers. After them, Laura, Jemi, Henry and others will manage the scoring. But the most important thing is, as long as these two bat for long and set the tone, it will be very beneficial for DC. The momentum they have now after winning the eliminator, it is a very good thing that they have come up from behind and into the final. So chances are high for them to get over the line in the final this time, added Mewada. Jemimah's leadership has evolved through the tournament, even as her own batting required adjustment. A week ago, a three-run loss to GG that saw Jemimah being bowled while attempting a scoop shot, DC's campaign appeared to be unraveling. But in the Eliminator on Tuesday, Jemimah sprinted across the outfield to encourage her bowlers, and hit her boundaries with a trademark delight that appeared to galvanize the entire squad. Winning the Eliminator is a good omen for DC as the one whos won that game has gone on to win the WPL. Jemimah's leadership has evolved through the tournament, even as her own batting required adjustment. A week ago, a three-run loss to GG that saw Jemimah being bowled while attempting a scoop shot, DC's campaign appeared to be unraveling. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now her strike rate is much better than it was last year. That means as a cricketer and as a leader, she is grooming herself. I am sure there will be staff and guys helping her in this decision making and tactical plans. Playing the final for the fourth time, I am sure if they forget about what has happened before and this is the only moment where we are going to give our best, they can manage to get the trophy, concluded Mewada. Article Source: IANS

Quote of the day by Abraham Lincoln: Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is...

Abraham Lincoln's timeless words highlight personal resolve as paramount to success. In today's world of distractions and competition, his message of self-belief and persistence remains vital. Lincoln, a former US President, rose from humble beginnings. His leadership during the Civil War inspires many. Applying his wisdom involves setting goals, building discipline, and embracing resilience.

100% FDI in insurance sector grants more power to regulators: LIC MD

LIC MD Dinesh Pant highlights the government's strong focus on the insurance sector, evidenced by 100% FDI, GST reduction on individual policies, and the insurance amendment bill. These reforms aim to boost economic growth and bridge India's protection gap, supporting the 'Insurance for All by 2047' goal. The budget's increased capex and improved fiscal management are also praised.

Proverb of the day by Theodore Roosevelt: 'Do what you can, with...'

Proverb of the day by Theodore Roosevelt: Theodore Roosevelt's wisdom encourages immediate action. Success comes from using available resources and taking consistent small steps. This principle applies to careers, education, personal growth, and business. It inspires millions by urging people to stop overthinking and start acting now. Practical action is key to achieving goals.

How to buy a GPU in 2026

One of the toughest parts of any new computer build or upgrade is finding the right video card. In a gaming PC, the GPU is easily the most important part, and you can limit your experience by going with the wrong model. The buying process can be frustrating, especially right now with memory shortages leading to higher prices. In this guide, we'll help you navigate the market and find the right GPU for your needs. It's all about the games The first question to ask yourself is what kind of games do you want to play. Competitive shooters like Valorant , Overwatch and Marvel Rivals were designed to run on older hardware. As such, even entry-level GPUs like the GeForce RTX 5060 can push those games at 120 frames per second and above at 1080p (more on why that's important in a moment). By contrast, if you want to play modern, single-player games with ray tracing and other graphical extras, you'll need a more powerful GPU. Just how much more powerful will depend on the resolution of your monitor. A 1440p or QHD monitor has 78 percent more pixels than a 1080p screen, and a 4K display has more than twice as many pixels as a QHD panel. In short, running a game at 4K, especially at anything above 60 frames per second, is demanding, and most GPUs will need to use upscaling techniques like NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) to push new games at high refresh rates. On the subject of resolution, it doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on a 4K monitor only to pair it with an inexpensive GPU. That's a recipe for a bad experience. As you're shopping for a new video card, you should think about the resolution and frame rate you want to play your games. If you're in the market for both a GPU and display, be sure to check out our guide to the best gaming monitors . If your budget allows, a good bet is to buy a midrange card that can comfortably render all but the most demanding games at 1440p and at least 144 frames per second. Put another way, you want a GPU that can saturate a monitor at its native resolution and refresh rate in as many games as possible. That will give you the smoothest possible experience in terms of motion clarity, and allow you to dabble in both competitive shooters and the latest single-player games as the mood strikes you. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget NVIDIA vs AMD and Intel One of the confusing aspects of the GPU industry are all the players involved . What you need to know is that there are three main players: AMD, Intel and NVIDIA. They design the cards you can buy, but delegate the manufacturing of them to so-called add-in board (AIB) partners like ASUS, XFX, Gigabyte and others. As you can imagine, this creates some headaches. The most annoying of which is that AMD, Intel and NVIDIA will often set recommended prices for their graphic cards, only for their partners to sell their versions of those GPUs for more than the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). For example, NVIDIA's website lists the RTX 5070 with a starting price of $549. On Newegg, there are no new 5070s listed at that price . The only models anywhere close to $549 are refurbished and open box specials. If you want one that comes sealed, that will cost you at least $630. As for what company you should buy your new GPU from, before 2025, NVIDIA was the undisputed king of the market. Specific GeForce cards may have not offered the best rasterization performance in their price range, but between their performance in games with ray tracing and the fact NVIDIA was ahead on features like DLSS, an RTX GPU was a safe bet. However, with this year's RTX 50 series release (and excluding models like the RTX 5080 and 5090 where there's no competition), it's safe to say NVIDIA missed the mark this generation. If you're in the market for an entry- or mid-level GPU, AMD and Intel offer better value, with cards that come with enough VRAM for now and into the future. That said, there are still a few reasons you might consider an NVIDIA GPU, starting with ray tracing. Ray tracing For decades, developers have used rasterization techniques to approximate how light behaves in the real world, and the results have been commendable. But if you know what to look for, it's easy to see where the illusion falls apart. For that reason, real-time ray tracing has been a goal of industry for years, and in 2018 it became a reality with NVIDIA's first RTX cards. In some games, effects like ray-traced reflections and global illumination are transformational. Unfortunately, those features are expensive to run, often coming at a significant frame rate drop without upscaling. Since ray tracing was optional in many games before 2025, you could save money by buying an AMD GPU. For example, even if the RX 7800 XT was worse at ray tracing than the RTX 4070, the former was often cheaper to buy, had more onboard VRAM and offered as good or better rasterization performance in many games. However, you can't ignore ray tracing performance anymore. We're starting to see releases like Doom: The Dark Ages where the tech is an integral part of a game's rendering pipeline, and more are likely to follow in the future. Thankfully, AMD's newest cards are much better in that regard, though you'll still get an edge running an NVIDIA model. For that reason, if ray tracing is important to you, NVIDIA cards are still the way to go. Refresh rates and frame rates If you're new to the world of PC gaming, it can be tricky to wrap your head around refresh rates. In short, the higher the refresh rate of a monitor, the more times it can update the image it displays on screen every second, thereby producing a smoother moving picture. For example, moving elements on a monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate will look better than on one with a 120Hz refresh rate. However, that's dependent on your GPU being able to consistently render a game at the appropriate frame rates. In the case of a 120Hz monitor, you want a GPU with enough headroom to drive most games at 120 fps. Realistically, most video cards won't be able to achieve that in every game, but it's a good baseline to aim for when shopping for a new GPU. Frame generation Since the release of NVIDIA's RTX 40-series GPU, the company has offered a feature called frame generation. As the name suggests, it allows NVIDIA's latest video cards to generate an additional frame for every frame they render normally. With the 50-series, NVIDIA has since begun offering multi-frame generation, which gives those GPUs the ability to generate up to three additional frames for every rendered frame. AMD has its own take on the tech, as does Intel, though NVIDIA's offering is considered superior to both due to how it handles frame pacing. Frame generation is nice to have, but it's not the silver bullet it might seem. Enabling it will increase system latency, reducing how responsive your games feel. Somewhat unintuitively, high-end GPUs also benefit more from the tech than their entry-level counterparts since they can naturally render more frames. For that reason, it's best to think of frame generation as a way to get the most out of a high refresh rate display. Upscaling and latency I've mentioned DLSS a few times already. Alongside FSR and Intel XeSS, DLSS is an example of what's known as an image reconstruction technology. More and more, native rendering is going out of fashion in game design. With ray tracing and other modern effects enabled, even the most powerful GPUs can struggle to render a game at 1440p or 4K and a playable framerate. Thats why many developers will turn to DLSS, FSR or XeSS to eke out additional performance by upscaling a lower resolution image to QHD or UHD. Upscaling in games is nothing new. For example, the PS4 Pro used a checkerboard technique to output games in 4K. Whats different now is how modern GPUs go about it. With DLSS, NVIDIA pioneered an approach that uses machine learning to recreate an image at a higher resolution, and in the process, addressed some of the pitfalls of past upscaling methods. If you're sensitive to these sorts of things, there's still blur and shimmer with DLSS, FSR and XeSS, but it's much less pronounced and can lead to significant performance gains. To DLSS, NVIDIA later added single and multi-frame generation. DLSS is only available on NVIDIA cards, and following the recent release of DLSS 4.5 , widely considered to offer the best image quality. That's another reason why you might choose an NVIDIA card over one of its competitors. However, if you decide to go with an AMD GPU, don't feel like you're missing out. The company recently released FSR 4. While it's not quite on par with DLSS 4 and 4.5 in terms of support and image quality, it's a major leap over FSR 3 and FSR 2. While on the subject of DLSS, I'll also mention NVIDIA Reflex . It's a latency-reducing technology NVIDIA introduced in 2020. AMD has its own version called Radeon Anti-Lag , but here again Team Green has a slight edge. If you're serious about competitive games, Reflex can significantly reduce input lag, which will make it easier to nail your shots in Counter-Strike 2 , Valorant and other shooters. Driver support Previously, one of the reasons to pick an NVIDIA GPU over the competition was the company's solid track record of driver support. With one of the company's video cards, you were less likely to run into stability issues and games failing to launch. At the start of 2025, NVIDIA's drivers were abysmal, but the company has since corrected course. VRAM As you're comparing different GPUs, especially those in the same tier, pay close attention to the amount of VRAM they offer. Many modern games will eat up as much VRAM as a GPU can offer, and if your card has a low amount, such as 8GB, you're likely to run into a performance bottleneck. If your budget allows for it, always go for the model with more VRAM. Consider, for instance, the difference between the $379 RTX 5060 Ti 8GB and $429 RTX 5060 Ti 16GB . Spending an extra $50 is going to be a lot for some people, but it's the difference between a card that is only adequate for many recent releases and one that will last you for a few years. In many cases, more VRAM is better. A slight caveat to this is when comparing models that have different memory bandwidths. A GPU that can access more of its memory faster can outperform one with more memory, even if it has less of it outright. Here, you'll want to read reviews of the models you're comparing to see how they perform in different games. Size and power draw Modern GPUs are big. Most new cards will take up at least two PCI slots on the back of your motherboard. They can also vary dramatically in length, depending on the number of fans the AIB has added to cool the PCB. To be safe, be sure to check the length of the card you want to buy against the maximum clearance listed by your case manufacturer. If you have a radiator at the front of your case, you will also need to factor the size of that in your measurements. The last thing you want is to buy a card that doesn't fit in your case. Lastly, be sure to check the recommended power supply for the card you want. As a rule of thumb, unless you know what you're doing, it's best to just stick with the manufacturer's recommendation. For instance, NVIDIA suggests pairing the RTX 5070 Ti with a 750 watt PSU. So if you're currently running a 650 watt unit, you'll need to factor in the price of a PSU upgrade with your new GPU. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Should you buy a used GPU? It depends. If you can find a deal on an old RTX 40 series GPU, then yes. NVIDIA's RTX 50 series don't offer greatly improved performance over their predecessors, and with most models selling for more than their suggested retail price, it's not the best time to buy a new NVIDIA card. That said, I suspect finding a good deal on a used GPU will be difficult. Most people will know the value of what they have, and considering the current market, will probably try to get as much as they can for their old card. You may find better deals on older AMD and Intel GPUs, but I think you're better off spending more now on a new model from one of those companies since the generational gains offered by their latest cards are much more impressive. Simply put, the 9070 XT and B580 are two of the best cards you can buy right now. Anything older than a card from NVIDIA's 40 series or AMD's RX 6000 family is not worth considering. Unless your budget is extremely tight or you mostly play older games, you're much better off spending more to buy a new card that will last you longer. When is a good time to buy a new GPU? If you've read up to this point, you're probably wondering if it's even worth buying a GPU right now. The answer is (unsurprisingly) complicated. There are a handful of great cards like the Radeon RX 9060 XT and 9070 that are absolutely worth it. The problem is finding any GPU at a price approaching those set by AMD, Intel or NVIDIA. The AI boom, and in particular actions by OpenAI , have led to memory shortages. In turn, those shortages have caused the price of consumer GPUs, SSDs and RAM kits to skyrocket in recent months. As of our latest update to this guide, some models like the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti are selling for hundreds of dollars above MSPR. As such, if you own a relatively recent GPU, you're probably best off trying to hold onto your current card until things settle down. But if your GPU isn't cutting it anymore, you face a difficult decision: overpay now, or wait and potentially pay even more later. To make that decision easier, I've been maintaining a separate guide that lists a selection of GPU models you can buy close to MSPR. My goal is to update that article at least once per month, so be sure to check often. Best GPUs for 2026: Engadget ecommendations Entry-level (1080p) As we mentioned above, if you're only aiming to play basic competitive shooters like Valorant and Overwatch 2 in 1080p, an entry-level GPU may be all you need. While 1080p isn't an ideal resolution when it comes to sharpness, many gamers prefer it since it's easier to reach higher framerates. And it also helps that 1080p gaming monitors , like the AOC 24G15N 24-inch we recommend, tend to offer speedy refresh rates for between $100 and $200. When you're zipping through matches, you likely won't have time to take a breath and appreciate the detail from higher resolutions. Here are our recommendations for entry-level video cards: AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB : Surprisingly enough, you can actually find this AMD GPU for $300. While you'll have to live with 8GB of RAM, that's more than enough for 1080p gaming, and it also has the benefit of DLSS 4 upscaling. AMD Radeon RX 7600 : While it's a last-gen card, the RX 7600 is still powerful enough to handle basic shooters. Midrange (1440p) While entry-level cards can dabble with 1440p gaming, it's worth stepping up to something a bit more powerful if you actually want to achieve higher refresh rates. For most gamers, 1440p is the best balance between sharpness and high frame rates. It looks noticeably better than 1080p, and doesn't require the horsepower overhead of 4K. (And there's a good chance you won't really see a visual difference with the jump to 4K.) Here are our recommendations for midrange GPUs: NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti : Forget the disappointing RTX 5070, the 5060 Ti delivers excellent 1080p and 1440p performance. And best of all, you can still find it under $500. (Read our NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti review .) AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB : A step up from the 8GB model we recommend above. The 16GB 9060 XT offers excellent performance across many of the latest games, and is less expensive than the 5060 Ti. AMD Radeon RX 9070 : AMD surprised us all with the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, two midrange cards that offered similar power to and more VRAM than NVIDIA's more expensive cards. While you won't see the RX 9070 for its $550 launch price today, you can still snag one for a slight premium at $650. (Check out our AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT review .) High-end (4K) If you want the most of what modern PC games have to offer, including 4K and all of the benefits of ray tracing, then be ready to spend big bucks on a high-end GPU. If you're going this route, though, be sure you're also gaming on a high-end monitor that befits these powerful GPUs. Here are our recommendations for premium GPUs: NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti : The RTX 5070 Ti surprised me with excellent 4K gaming performance for a launch price that was well below the RTX 5080. It's the best overall NVIDIA card if you want to play in 4K at 120Hz or beyond, but it's also the hardest to find at MSRP. (Check out our NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti review .) AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT : I already mentioned the RX 9070 XT. With shortages of the 5070 Ti, it's the best GPU you can buy now without paying a ridiculous premium. (Check out our AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT review .) NVIDIA RTX 5080 : If the RTX 5070 Ti isn't enough for you, the RTX 5080's additional power and 24GB of VRAM should suit your fancy. Just be prepared to pay around $1,500 for it, a 50 percent jump from its $999 launch price. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/how-to-buy-a-gpu-160100017.html?src=rss

Vingroup Signs Mou With Tamil Nadu, Strengthening Its Multi-Sector Ecosystem in India

Vingroup announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Tamil Nadu to establish a framework for cooperation in studying and developing strategic investment opportunities in the State. The agreement marks the next step in Vingroup’s strategy to expand its multi-sector ecosystem in India in general and in Tamil Nadu in particular, reaffirming the Vietnamese enterprise’s long-term investment commitment and well-defined approach in the South Asian market.   The ceremony was attended by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru. M.K. Stalin, Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of Vingroup Asia, along with senior officials from the Government of Tamil Nadu   Under the MoU, Vingroup and the Government of Tamil Nadu, through Guidance, the State’s investment promotion agency, will jointly explore cooperation opportunities in several key areas, including large-scale tourism and entertainment development, premium hospitality infrastructure, and electric mobility solutions, in line with the State’s orientation toward sustainable development, green transport, and inclusive growth.   In the tourism and entertainment sector, Vingroup will study the development of an international-standard theme park, zoo, and safari complex featuring a semi-wildlife zoo model under the VinWonders brand, with the goal of enhancing Tamil Nadu’s tourism competitiveness, attracting domestic and international visitors, and generating substantial direct and indirect employment for local communities.   In the premium hospitality services sector, the Group will consider the potential investment in a 5-star resort under the Vinpearl brand, contributing to the completion of a high-quality resort tourism ecosystem and meeting the growing demand of the State’s premium travel segment.   In green mobility, the two sides will jointly study the potential deployment of electric mobility solutions, including a large-scale electric taxi model using Made-in-India electric vehicles operated by GSM, the electric taxi service company founded by Vingroup Chairman Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong.   Meanwhile, the Government of Tamil Nadu may support Vingroup in identifying suitable locations for each initiative, coordinating planning and project structuring activities, facilitating licensing procedures, considering incentives in accordance with current policies, and coordinating with relevant agencies to prepare the necessary connectivity infrastructure for future implementation.   Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, Chief Executive Officer of Vingroup Asia, stated, “ The MOU with Tamil Nadu continues to demonstrate Vingroup’s long-term and consistent approach in India, while reaffirming the State’s role in our development strategy in the market. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, together with the State’s authorities, in particular Guidance, the Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency, and SIPCOT, the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu, for their continued support and close cooperation over the past period. Vingroup wishes to accompany localities that have a vision for sustainable development, leveraging experience in implementing large-scale projects in tourism, service infrastructure, and electric mobility, thereby creating practical socio-economic value for local communities.”   Vingroup is Vietnam’s largest private multi-sector corporation, operating across six core pillars: Industrials & Technology, Real Estate & Services, Infrastructure, Green Energy, Culture, and Social Enterprises, with the vision of “To create a better life for people”. With its proven reputation, scale and capabilities, Vingroup is expanding globally, with India among its top priority markets.   Previously, Vingroup signed an MoU with the State of Telangana to explore multi sector investment opportunities. In parallel, global electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast, a member of the Group, is expanding its presence in India through the development of a comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem. This series of activities and cooperation agreements reflects Vingroup’s well-defined, consistent, and long-term investment strategy, while contributing to the promotion of Vietnam India economic cooperation and opening further room for large-scale investment projects in the coming period.

Arsenal vs Chelsea: Late Havertz goal sinks former club as Arsenal reaches League Cup final

Arsenal will play Manchester City or Newcastle in the March 22 final

Breathing problems in Goas factory workers

Goas industrial landscape has expanded significantly over the decades, bringing economic opportunities but also exposing workers to hazardous conditions DR ANIL MEHNDIRATTA Industrial workers across mining operations, manufacturing units, and chemical plants are experiencing serious respiratory illnesses that impact not just their work, but their quality of life, and the well-being of their families. The []

WPL: We've Plenty Of Time To Tinker A Little Bit & Come Back Stronger Next Year, Says GG Head Coach Klinger

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Head coach Michael Klinger felt the Gujarat Giants' WPL 2026 season demonstrated noticeable progress, despite an overall sense of unfinished goals, as the side concluded their campaign with a loss to Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator on Tuesday. Securing second place on the points table marked a positive advancement and showed that the Giants maintained composure in close matches throughout the league phase. However, it also identified areas for improvement, especially during the most critical moments. They achieved a clean sweep of UP Warriorz, ending a long winless streak against the Mumbai Indians, and narrowly defeated Delhi Capitals twice in last-over finishes, with Sophie Devine's calm under pressure playing a key role. The margins of victory were often very close, and their confidence was clear, even though losses to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in both encounters prevented a higher league-stage position. As Klinger noted, the season ended in disappointment once again, with the Giants missing out on successive Eliminators in 2025 and 2026. Yeah, certainly, finishing outright second this year is a huge improvement. Probably the two finals (Eliminators) we played, both last year and this year, we just didn't play at our best. We spoke about it today in our team meeting - that when we play close to our best, we're a chance to beat any team in this competition - and we just weren't quite there today, in our batting and our bowling, Klinger said, addressing the media after the Giants' loss to DC. Nonetheless, the overall evaluation stayed positive. We've learned a lot about our squad this year. Whether we won the final or not, or the championship or not, we're pretty clear on the areas we need to improve next year. We've got plenty of time - about 10 months now - to watch more cricket from both local and overseas players, tinker a little bit, and hopefully come back bigger and stronger next year. To qualify two years in a row, there are always teams who would much prefer to be where we are than already gone home. So we're satisfied with that, but at the same time we're aiming for bigger things. It didn't happen this year, but we'll keep giving ourselves a chance by qualifying, and hopefully next year we'll play stronger cricket in the bigger games, he said. Klinger expressed optimism about the Indian talent in the squad, viewing this season as a foundation rather than a ceiling. I think it's about players taking the next step. Anushka (Sharma) had a good season for her first year. She got a lot of good starts, which for a young player is fantastic. The next step for her is realising how good she is, and that she can be a 300-plus run WPL player going forward. She's a fantastic player and person, and she's probably a big chance to play for India before next year's WPL. I hope she does, because that international experience will help her for us next year as well. I thought Bharti (Fulmali) started the season really well and played some fantastic innings. Potentially, the lower bounce here (in Vadodara) didn't quite suit her, so she couldn't get going. It's more about belief - that they don't just have to contribute, but can dominate, like some of the other Indian batters in the competition. If they come in with that attitude next year, they'll be fine. Obviously, we'll have Yastika (Bhatia) next year, touch wood, if she's fit and healthy, which will add another quality Indian player, said Klinger. Klinger discussed effort, balance, and potential improvements from a bowling perspective. He highlighted the narrow victories over DC as proof of the team's fighting spirit, which they highly value. The two wins against Delhi showed our fighting spirit - even when we were up against it in the last six balls. We talk about that a lot. In our team room, we have a big sign that says 'fight'. We'll certainly speak to all the players - maybe not tonight with emotions running high, but over time. Everyone's going back to domestic cricket, and there are areas everyone can work on, whether it's our quicks or our spinners. Klinger discussed effort, balance, and potential improvements from a bowling perspective. He highlighted the narrow victories over DC as proof of the team's fighting spirit, which they highly value. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Regarding the spinners, who played a smaller role, Klinger said, Our spinners didn't get as many overs this year - TK (Tanuja Kanwer) and Raj (Rajeshwari Gayakwad) - but that was more about our team make-up. We had a lot of all-rounders: Ash (Gardner), Georgia (Wareham), Sophie Devine. We didn't have Georgia last year. With three overseas all-rounders bowling, it wasn't a reflection on the spinners, just how we balanced our overs. Article Source: IANS

'They Had Been Playing It For 2 Years': Father Of Ghaziabad Girls Blames Online Game Influence

Three minor sisters who died after jumping from a building in Ghaziabad may have been influenced by a task-based game that allegedly listed suicide as its goal, their father said.

Trump administration presses efforts to ensure supply of critical minerals outside of China

The Trump administration is set to launch a major initiative to secure critical minerals. This plan involves international purchase agreements and the creation of a substantial U.S. strategic reserve. The goal is to reduce reliance on China's control over these vital resources. Vice President JD Vance will address global officials on this significant development.

Mahindras biggest export bet yet: 35,000 Scorpio Pik Ups head to Indonesia in landmark deal

Mahindra & Mahindra has secured its biggest export deal. The company will supply 35,000 Scorpio Pik Ups to Indonesia in 2026. These vehicles will strengthen rural cooperatives and improve food logistics. The deal will boost village commerce and support Indonesia's food security goals. Mahindra's Scorpio Pik Ups are known for durability and low operating costs.

India to keep some farm protections in US trade deal, will buy US aircraft, arms, energy

Neither side provided a start date for the trade deal. Greer said that US and Indian officials were still putting terms on paper. A US official said the goal was to complete that work this week or soon thereafter

Write Goals in Ink, Strategies in Pencil: The Mindset That Wins

Writing goals in ink and strategies in pencil is a simple line, but it carries a modern truth about ambition: clarity matters, and so does flexibility.

How BRICS Gives India Strategic Options

B S Dara bsdara@gmail.com Trade in todays world is no longer a neutral economic tool. It has become a strategic weapon. Washington has increasingly used tariffs to advance political goals, including against partners it publicly calls allies. India experienced this first hand in 2019 when the United States removed it from the Generalized System of Preferences, a program that had allowed duty-free access for nearly $6.3 billion worth of Indian exports, affecting sectors such as leather, engineering goods and textiles. [] The post How BRICS Gives India Strategic Options appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Demoted cop threatens to commit suicide; may face action

Amresh Parab Panaji In a show of indiscipline, a demoted police officer from the Goa police department has threatened Superintendent of Police (SP-Headquarters) Dharmesh Angle of committing suicide over the matter. The demoted officer also said that the suicide would be attributed to the SP, sources told The Navhind Times. The officer in question is []

Govt withdraws NOC granted to Tirumalla Tirupati Credit Society

NT Reporter Panaji The state government has withdrawn and cancelled with immediate effect the permission/No-objection Certificate (NOC) granted to Tirumalla Tirupati Multistate Co-operative Credit Society Ltd. for extending its operations and opening 13 branches in Goa, shocking thousands of Goans, who have invested their money in the co-operative credit society over the years through fixed []

Rising vehicle numbers impacting Goas air quality

Abdul Wahab Khan Panaji Goas rapidly increasing vehicle population is emerging as one of the states serious environmental threats, with the State of the Environment Report 2025 warning that the transport sector has become a dominant source of greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and energy consumption. The report cautions that unless urgent corrective measures are []

Februarys Xbox Game Pass additions include High on Life 2, Madden NFL 26 and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

Microsoft has revealed the first wave of Xbox Game Pass additions for February, and it feels like there's a bit of something for everyone this time around. Two of the titles land on the service today across the Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass tiers: Final Fantasy II (cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC) and Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (cloud, console, handheld and PC). Final Fantasy II is a remodeled 2D take on the classic 1988 RPG, while Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a wild-looking spin-off of the main Like a Dragon series with pirates and naval combat. Madden NFL 26 is hitting Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass across cloud, console and PC on February 5, so subscribers will be able to get in a few virtual downs before the Super Bowl on Sunday at no extra cost. Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship will join the Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass lineups on the same day across cloud, console, handheld and PC. On February 10, a game I've been looking forward to, Relooted , joins Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC. I really enjoyed the demo of this heist game, in which the goal is to recover African artifacts from Western museums. Two days later, you can check out BlazBlue Entropy Effect X , which is a 2D roguelite action game set in the BlazBlue universe, on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass (cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC). Also on February 12, Roadside Research will become available in game preview on cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This is a co-op (or solo) game for up to four players in which you run a gas station as a group of aliens. You'll examine humans and try to gather as much data as you can without raising suspicion and a potential visit from the feds. The aliens disguises, as shown in the trailer, are pretty funny. A third game is on the docket for February 12, with life sim Starsand Island arriving on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass (cloud, Xbox Series X/S, and PC). A day later, High on Life 2 lands on the same tiers and platforms with a whole new bunch of strange, talking weapons. That's a day-one addition to the line up. Also on February 13, Kingdom Come Deliverance will become delivered to Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass across cloud, console and PC. On February 17, you can embrace your inner Na'vi in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora on cloud, Xbox Series X/S, handheld and PC on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. I quite enjoyed my initial hands-on with the game , but I haven't jumped into the full version as yet. Last, but not least, Avowed will join the lower Game Pass Premium tier on February 17 across cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC. It will do so almost exactly a year after its debut and on the same day it hits PlayStation 5 and a major update goes live . Avowed was one of our favorite games of 2025 . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/februarys-xbox-game-pass-additions-include-high-on-life-2-madden-nfl-26-and-avatar-frontiers-of-pandora-160656985.html?src=rss

SpaceX and xAI are now one company: What the merger means for AI and space

Elon Musk has united his space venture SpaceX with his artificial intelligence company xAI. This strategic move aims to combine rocket and satellite technology with advanced AI systems. The integration is expected to accelerate innovation by removing barriers and sharing resources. This merger positions Musk to pursue ambitious goals in space exploration and AI development simultaneously.

Why Stanford MBA career outcomes look different from other business schools, and what the employability data reveals

Stanford Universitys high employability rankings reflect global employer confidence, yet graduate outcomes reveal diverse career choices. The Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2025 shows 63% sought employment, 16% pursued entrepreneurship, 13% returned to sponsored roles, and smaller shares opted for further education or other paths. This underscores that employability is not a single metric but a reflection of flexibility and opportunity. Students should interpret rankings alongside detailed outcomes to align career goals with available options.

How Compounding Works: At 12% expected return, how soon can you reach your goal with Rs 5,500 monthly SIP? | Learn with example

One of the biggest advantages of SIP is the power of compounding. Compounding means that your money grows not only on the amount you invest, but also on the returns your investment earns over time. Simply put, your money starts earning returns on its own returns. The longer you stay invested, the stronger this effect becomes.

84.5% of 1.52 lakh waste-pickers profiled so far come from SC, ST, and OBC communities

State-level data show Delhi, Goa, and West Bengal are outliers, where waste-pickers from the General category constitute a majority. Overall, 10.7% workers are from the General category. The data also showed that 7,402 workers were from Other communities.

WPL 2026: Harris Hails 'opposites Attract' Opening Partnership With Mandhana Ahead Of Title Clash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengalurus big-hitting all-rounder Grace Harris said her contrasting personality with skipper Smriti Mandhana has been key to their successful opening partnership as the team prepares for the 2026 Womens Premier League (WPL) final, set to happen at BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Thursday. The Australian power-hitter was handed the role of opening the batting alongside Smriti by head coach Malolan Rangarajan in a practice session ahead of the tournament. Rangarajans words for Grace while being handed the opening slot was that she should go for the cheese and not the cat, which translates to take the extra risk, and not be afraid of getting out. Grace has amassed 228 runs in eight innings at a strike-rate of 180.95 has formed a formidable opening combination with Smriti, whos the third leading run-getter in WPL 2026 with 290 runs at a strike-rate of 141.46. She's been fantastic. She's such a quiet-natured kind of person, probably the opposite of myself come game day. Sometimes opposites work and sometimes they go horrifically bad. But I'm glad to say that opposites have worked this time around, at least from my end. You'll have to ask Smriti how she feels, but she's easy going. She doesn't say a lot out in the middle. She kind of just glove-punches me and then makes sure that we're reiterating how we're going to play and how we're going to play certain bowlers. So, there's a little bit of chat every now and again. Well, a bit of casual chat every now and again. But most of the time, it's just good vibes and a good time, Grace told IANS in a select virtual interaction on Tuesday. Ahead of the title clash, where RCB are aiming to win their second title after emerging triumphant in 2024, the side had a short break in Goa before commencing their practice session for the final. Its something Grace believes was crucial for maintaining mental freshness ahead of the tournament's title clash. Obviously, finals come with higher expectations and pressure, or perceived pressure. But I guess it's just really good. Sometimes when you, again, come to these kind of franchise competitions, you kind of live in a little bubble and it can go south. Well, the mental side of things can go south real quick, especially if you're an overthinker or if you spend a lot of time just watching and thinking about cricket. So, Goa was a fantastic experience. I've never been there before, but I really enjoyed it. I think a lot of the girls did, too. If you work really hard, I think you earn those trips away if you can kind of have too much business and not enough pleasure. But getting that balance right is only the best thing for an athlete or for a performance occupation. Sometimes the mental clarity is more significant or more important than how many hours you train or how your body is going, if that makes sense. So, it was very good fun, she elaborated. Well, the mental side of things can go south real quick, especially if you're an overthinker or if you spend a lot of time just watching and thinking about cricket. So, Goa was a fantastic experience. I've never been there before, but I really enjoyed it. I think a lot of the girls did, too. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So it's just been good fun and we tried to learn a fair bit from the losses or the wins, which has been exciting within our team chats. But we're just kind of trying to adapt quickest to the conditions and then play a successful brand of T20 cricket, which has been good fun. Article Source: IANS

SRM University-AP and JK Srivastava Hynfra P.S.A. Ltd Partner to Drive Green Hydrogen Innovation with Centre of Excellence

SRM University-AP inks a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JK Srivastava Hynfra P.S.A. Ltd to strengthen green hydrogen research and innovation, aligned with Andhra Pradesh’s goal to become India’s Green Hydrogen Hub by 2030. The university, in collaboration with JK Srivastava Group, will establish a Centre of Excellence in Hydrogen Technologies for research, academic, and scientific knowledge exchange in the field of Green Hydrogen Technologies.   JK Srivastava, Founder & Chairman, JK Srivastava Hynfra P.S.A. Ltd and Dr R Premkumar, Registrar, SRM University-AP Signing the MoU   This initiative falls under the Andhra Pradesh state's 2030 goal of producing 1.5 MMTPA of green hydrogen. The project also aims to develop a comprehensive roadmap for hydrogen storage and transportation, develop hydrogen-powered fuel cell-based trains, buses, trucks, etc., establish electrolyser manufacturing capacity of 5GW, and bring down the cost of Hydrogen.   Dignitaries from JK Srivastava Hynfra Group and SRM University-AP leadership with the signed MoU   At the Green Hydrogen Summit held at SRM University-AP in July 2025, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu, declared Green Hydrogen Valley-Andhra Pradesh, aiming to establish the state of Andhra Pradesh as India’s Green Hydrogen hub, in alignment with the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The summit also recognised SRM University-AP as the state nodal agency to execute advanced research in hydrogen technologies for the project.   In its role as the state nodal agency, SRM University-AP is driving the initial phase of green hydrogen development by the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen Technologies, foundational R&D capabilities, and collaborative platforms for green hydrogen in partnership with J K Srivastava Hynfra P.S.A. Ltd.    The JK Srivastava Group, in partnership with Hynfra, has made a landmark investment of 35,000 crore to establish a green ammonia industry near Mulapeta, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, operational by 2029. Expected to generate over 10,000 jobs, the project marks a major milestone in India’s clean energy transition and its growing leadership in the global green hydrogen race. Against this backdrop, SRM AP’s collaboration with JK Srivastava Hynfra P.S.A. Ltd will catalyse cutting-edge research, enable industry-ready innovations, and nurture future-ready talent in hydrogen technologies.   Prof. D. Narayana Rao, Executive Director – Research, SRM Group of Institutions and Member Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Green Hydrogen Valley, presented a comprehensive overview of the envisioned objectives of the Green Hydrogen Valley–Andhra Pradesh and the Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen Technologies. He highlighted that the Centre will focus on developing high-efficiency catalysts for electrolysis, exploring the feasibility of alternative water sources—including direct seawater electrolysis—advancing novel hydrogen storage solutions, and examining the potential application of hydrogen in powering data centres.   Prof. Rao emphatically mentioned that the Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen Technologies being established at SRM AP is an excellent initiative involving the government, industry and the academia.   Highlighting the Government of Andhra Pradesh’s Integrated Clean Energy (ICE) policy, Dr Kamalakar Babu, VC & MD, NREDCAP, emphasised that the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, supported by state agencies, is steering Andhra Pradesh towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2047. He described the green hydrogen initiative as a transformative mission driven by strong collaboration between various sectors.   JK Srivastava, Founder & Chairman, JK Srivastava Hynfra P.S.A. Ltd, said, SRM AP’s Green Hydrogen Summit strongly aligned with Andhra Pradesh’s visionary leadership. Leveraging its vast coastline, the state targets exporting 500,000 tonnes of green ammonia to Europe by 2029. He also said that the Centre of Excellence at SRM AP will demonstrate advanced electrolysers, hydrogen storage, and smart hydrogen-led cities.   Artur Kolakowski, Director, Business Development, JK Srivastava Hynfra P.S.A. Ltd, and Pawel Trojanowski, Business Development Director, Hydrogen Systems, Rockfin, highlighted innovative hydrogen production through advanced electrolysis, renewable-powered systems, along with next-generation storage solutions such as high-pressure systems, liquid hydrogen, and chemical carriers for safe and scalable deployment.   Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SRM University–AP underscored the MoU as a significant step towards integrating hydrogen technologies into academics, research, and leadership training at the University, which is reinforcing SRM AP’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions in partnership with industry leaders like the JK Srivastava Group.    Pankaj Srivastava, Director, JK Srivastava Hynfra P.S.A. Ltd, Dr R Premkumar, Registrar, SRM University-AP, Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Dean-Research, Prof. GS Vinod Kumar, Associate Dean and Professor, and Dr Pardha Saradhi Maram, Convenor of Green Hydrogen Summit 2025 and Associate Professor, SRM University-AP, also graced the occasion.

The Morning After: Elon Musks SpaceX is buying his AI company, xAI

Like some sort of corporate Russian doll, SpaceX has announced its acquisition of xAI. The merger will form the most ambitious, vertically integrated innovation engine on (and off) Earth, according to, well, owner Elon Musk. The AI company, arguably best known for its ongoing CSAM-generating chatbot controversy, might seem like a strange fit for a rocket company. But SpaceX is apparently key to Musks latest scheme to build AI data centers in space. There might be an argument for moving the resource-intensive operations to space but Musk continued. He also claimed space-based data centers will eventually enable further advances in space travel. The capabilities we unlock by making space-based data centers a reality will fund and enable self-growing bases on the Moon, an entire civilization on Mars and ultimately expansion to the Universe. Back on Earth, xAI and X (formerly Twitter) merged last year, which means SpaceX now owns the social network Musk bought in 2022. Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed iPhone Fold rumors: Everything we know so far, including the leaked design Rivian made an electric ambulance for Greys Anatomy TikTok says its back to normal after winter storm-related outages Sony A7 V camera review Awesome speed and photo quality. TMA Engadget The Sony A7 V is an imaging powerhouse that brings the speed and precision of its high-end siblings to the enthusiast tier. Thanks to a new 33MP partially stacked sensor, image quality is where it truly pulls ahead, offering best-in-class dynamic range and low-light performance that outclasses 24MP rivals despite the higher resolution. If your primary goal is capturing the perfect still, the combination of accurate AI autofocus and improved color science makes this arguably the best all-around Sony shooter yet. However, if youre a video-first creator, the A7 V might feel like its a little behind. While the 10-bit 4K footage is sharp and benefits from impressive AI auto-framing and stabilization, it lacks internal RAW recording, which competitors like the Canon R6 III and Panasonic S1 II now offer. Make sure you check out the full review. Continue reading. Apple acquires Q.ai for a reported $2 billion After Beats, its the companys second-biggest ever purchase. Its the time of AI acquisitions, it seems. Even Apples doing it. Apple has acquired Israel-based startup Q.ai . Although Apple has not disclosed the terms of the deal, The Financial Times reports the arrangement is valued at nearly $2 billion. Apple hasnt shared specifics on how it plans to leverage the startup, but patents filed by Q.ai focus on integrating its technology into headphones or even glasses, using facial skin micro movements to communicate without talking. Continue reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-elon-musks-spacex-is-buying-his-ai-company-xai-121500751.html?src=rss

Indian space sector to account for 8-10% of $1.8-trillion global space economy

India's space sector is projected to capture 8-10% of the global space economy by 2035, attracting significant investment momentum. Big-ticket investors, including Singapore's GIC and Temasek, are eyeing opportunities in this burgeoning ecosystem, supported by a Rs 1,000 crore venture fund and a goal of developing five space unicorns annually.

Menzies wins 15-year ground handling licence at Bengaluru airport

Menzies Aviation will provide ground handling services at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport for 15 years starting April 1, 2026. The company will offer passenger, ramp, and baggage operations. This partnership will create about 1,000 new jobs over three years. Menzies will also invest over USD 9.2 million to upgrade equipment, including electric vehicles, supporting airport growth and sustainability goals.

Dr. Dhruv Galgotia Chairs International Dialogue on Student-Centric Teaching at QS India Summit, Goa

Galgotias University marked a significant presence at the QS Quacquarelli Symonds India Summit, Goa, by leading a high-level Presidential Roundtable that convened Presidents, Chancellors, and Vice Chancellors from leading universities across the world. The roundtable focused on rethinking classroom teaching to enable deeper student agency, engagement, and relevance in the context of a rapidly transforming higher education ecosystem.   Dr. Dhruv Galgotia chairing the Presidential Roundtable at the QS India Summit 2026 The session was chaired by Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University, and co-chaired by Prof. Richard James, an internationally renowned expert in higher education. The discussions reflected a shared recognition that universities must move beyond traditional, syllabus-driven models and instead design learning environments that are adaptive, participatory, and future-oriented. The dialogue examined how classroom practices can evolve to respond to changing learner expectations, the demands of emerging technologies, and the need for graduates to demonstrate critical thinking, creativity, and leadership. Participants shared global perspectives on pedagogy, institutional responsibility, and the role of universities in shaping resilient and socially responsive graduates. Addressing the roundtable, Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University , underscored that “ meaningful transformation in higher education begins inside the classroom. He noted that Galgotias University’s academic vision is anchored in its G-SCALE approach, which prioritises student empowerment, active learning, and the development of future-ready competencies aligned with global realities .” Galgotias University’s leadership at the QS India Summit highlights its commitment to contributing to international academic discourse and shaping progressive teaching and learning practices. The university continues to engage with global higher education leaders to advance conversations that influence the future direction of universities in India and beyond. About Galgotias University  Galgotias University Among the World’s Leading Universities in QS and THE Rankings. Galgotias University proudly ascends in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Quacquarelli Symonds, securing a coveted position in the 1201–1400 global band. Ranked 15th among top private universities and 43rd among all Indian universities-public and private combined-this achievement marks a powerful endorsement of Galgotias’ unwavering commitment to academic excellence, global relevance, and innovation in higher education.  In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, Galgotias University has been ranked 45th among Indian universities (including both government and private institutions) and placed in the globally prestigious 1001–1200 band. This significant achievement reinforces the university’s growing stature in the international academic arena and validates its consistent progress in global higher education benchmarks.  These recognitions reflect Galgotias University’s strategic focus on teaching quality, research impact, internationalization, and industry relevance, and its mission to shape globally competent graduates prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.   

Dubai unveils driverless pod routes connecting metro stations to major destinations

Dubai is set to revolutionize urban transit with Glydways, an autonomous electric pod system launching within four months. These driverless vehicles will operate on dedicated tracks, tackling the last-mile challenge and aiming to eliminate traffic congestion. This initiative is a significant step towards Dubai's goal of 25% autonomous trips by 2030.

The Switch just surpassed the DS as Nintendo's best-selling console ever

The original Switch just became Nintendos best-selling console ever with 155.37 million units as of December 31, 2025, overtaking the DS which sold 154.02 million units from 2004-2011. It was part of a holiday surge that saw the company move 7.01 million Switch 2s (and 17.37 million through Q3 of its fiscal year), making it the fastest-selling dedicated video platform released by Nintendo to date, the company said in its earnings report . Despite being supplanted by the Switch 2, the Switch keeps selling decently (1.36 million units in Q3 fiscal 2026), due to its relatively cheap price . Nintendo reported last year that it was just trailing the DS in sales and would likely surpass it after Christmas. The Switch is now just 5.27 million units behind Sonys PS2, the best-selling console of all time so Nintendo would have to keep selling it for at least a couple more years to get the record. The Switch 2, meanwhile, has been a sales machine. With high holiday sales that exceeded expectations , Nintendo should easily reach its 19 million sales goal for fiscal 2026 ending March 31 this year. The company has already (easily) busted through its original sales forecast of 15 million consoles set earlier in 2025. Game sales were also strong, with Mario Kart World hitting 14 million units and Donkey Kong Bananza selling 4.25 million since the Switch 2s launch. With all that, the company saw 803.32 billion yen in sales for Q3 ($5.2 billion), up 86 percent over last year but a bit less than expected, and 159.93 billion yen in profit ($1.03 billion), 20 percent higher than the same period last year. Whether the company can continue that may depend on the strength of its upcoming game lineup. Two of those key titles are Mario Tennis Fever expected on February 12 and Pokemon Pokopia arriving in March. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-switch-just-surpassed-the-ds-as-nintendos-best-selling-console-ever-083700901.html?src=rss

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Assago sign MoU to Develop India's First Indigenous Green Urea Plant at Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of India’s largest power utility NTPC Ltd., and Assago Industries Pvt. Ltd. (Assago), a fast-growing player in bio-energy and sustainable manufacturing, today announced the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and operationalize India’s first large-scale Green Urea production ecosystem within the upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh.   The MoU was signed in the august presence of senior officials and leadership teams from NGEL, NTPC, and Assago, marking a significant milestone for the project Under the MoU, NGEL will supply Green Ammonia, CO, RE power, and other utilities to Assago, enabling the production of Green Urea using clean, renewable feedstock. The collaboration aims to accelerate India’s transition toward sustainable fertilizer production and contribute significantly to the nation’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision. India’s Urea Challenge & Why This MoU Matters India currently consumes around 35 to 40 million tonnes of urea annually, of which 8–10 million tonnes are imported each year. Imported urea exposes India to high price volatility, foreign exchange outflow, geopolitical supply risks, and carbon-intensive fertilizer dependence. The NGEL–Assago partnership directly supports reducing this dependence by creating India’s first indigenous Green Urea value chain powered entirely by renewable hydrogen and green ammonia. A Leap Toward Indigenous Green Urea The Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub is designed for 2.5 million tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of green chemicals (Green Methanol, Green Ammonia, SAF, and Green Urea). Assago Industries will be among the first private companies in India to begin production of Green Urea at scale using renewable ammonia and captured CO — a pioneering step in sustainable fertilizer manufacturing. Strategic Benefits of the NGEL–Assago Collaboration Strengthening India’s Fertilizer Self-Reliance Large-Scale Decarbonization Boost to Andhra Pradesh’s Green Hydrogen Corridor Alignment with National Priorities Quote from Assago Industries  “ This partnership marks a defining moment for India’s transition towards sustainable fertilizer production. By producing indigenous Green Urea using renewable feedstock, Assago is proud to contribute to India’s goal of self-reliance, decarbonization, and agricultural resilience. We look forward to working closely with NGEL to build a world-class green chemicals ecosystem at Pudimadaka .” – Ashish Gurnani, MD, Assago Industries Private Limited .

Opinion: Opinion | India-US Deal: When Diplomacy Trumps Cynicism

The deal reaffirms the strength of India-US ties between the world's two largest democracies, unlocks prosperity for citizens on both sides and fuels shared goals of fair trade, innovation and global stability.

Budget 2026 might have given second life to legacy industrial clusters as govt plans targeted sector upgrades

The government plans to revitalize 200 old industrial clusters. This initiative will focus on upgrading equipment and enhancing worker skills, with a goal to boost cost competitiveness and efficiency across various sectors. This move aims to strengthen India's manufacturing sector and ensure long-term global competitiveness.

A Gentler Way to Treat a Leaking Heart Valve

Many people live for years with constant tiredness or a sense that everyday activities require more effort than they should. These signs are often brushed aside as part of ageing or a busy lifestyle. In some cases, however, the real issue lies in the heart—specifically a condition called Mitral Regurgitation, where a heart valve does not close properly and allows blood to flow backward, gradually affecting how efficiently the heart works.   Dr Manoj Kumar Agarwala, Senior Consultant Cardiologist & Endovascular Specialist and Director – Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad   For a long time, open-heart surgery was considered the main solution. While effective, surgery is not suitable for everyone. Older adults, or those with other medical problems, are often told that the risks are simply too high. This is where newer treatment options have quietly changed the conversation. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair, commonly known as TEER, is a minimally invasive procedure that repairs the leaking valve through a thin tube passed from a blood vessel, without opening the chest or stopping the heart. By gently bringing the valve leaflets closer together, the heart is able to pump more efficiently, easing symptoms that patients live with every day.  Dr Manoj Kumar Agarwala , Senior Consultant Cardiologist & Endovascular Specialist and Director – Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad . “ Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair has changed how we approach these cases. By avoiding open-heart surgery, TEER allows us to treat high-risk or elderly patients safely, while significantly improving their quality of life. The goal is not just to fix the valve, but to help patients return to their everyday activities with greater comfort and confidence .” What has been encouraging is how patients respond after the procedure. Many report breathing more comfortably, feeling less fatigued, and getting back to routine activities sooner than expected. Hospital stays are usually shorter, and recovery tends to be smoother compared to traditional surgery. Advances in TEER technology have also made the procedure more precise and predictable for heart teams. Better imaging and refined delivery systems help doctors tailor treatment to each patient’s heart structure, while careful evaluation ensures the right patients receive the right therapy. As awareness around heart valve disease grows, minimally invasive treatments like TEER are offering reassurance to patients who once had limited options. It represents a thoughtful step forward—focused not just on treatment, but on improving everyday life.