‘The Golden Road’, ‘The Burning Earth’ among six non-fiction works shortlisted for British Academy Book Prize
LONDON: Bestselling author William Dalrymple’s ‘The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World’ and Sunil Amrith’s ‘The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years’ are among six non-fiction works shortlisted for the British Academy Book Prize…
Dan Brown’s latest thriller, ‘The Secret of Secrets’, released in 16 languages
Publishers, printers and translators worked in secrecy and with strict confidentiality clauses to prevent leaks in the run-up to the release. Brown, 61, is set to begin a month-long promotional tour on Tuesday in New York that will take him to…
On late fashion mogul Giorgio Armani’s enduring legacy
Styling The Silver Screen Armani is also known for his beautiful red carpet gowns and tailored pieces for women. “If we look at red carpets, Julia Roberts wearing an Armani suit is an iconic look, along with a beautiful skirt…
Can animal organs save human lives? Another New Hampshire man gets pig kidney; transplant trials poised to start
WASHINGTON: A self-described science nerd is the latest American to get an experimental pig kidney transplant, at a crucial point in the quest to prove if animals organs really might save human lives. The 54-year-old New Hampshire man is faring well after…
AI-powered meet-up apps like 222, Kndrd help people fight loneliness
SAN FRANCISCO: On a summer evening in San Francisco, JT Mason went to dinner with five complete strangers, confident he would have a good time thanks to careful guest selection by a new type of app for meeting people. The…
Survival of the godless
There are no gods in Manav Kaul’s world, only temples, and children forced to survive without them. His book Shirt Ka Teesra Button, translated by Sayari Debnath under the title A Temple of No Gods, follows the story of Rajil,…
The season of seaside couture
Hospitality has long flirted with fashion, but this season, the affair has blossomed into full-blown haute couture. Across Europe, luxury beach clubs and storied resorts are transforming into catwalks by the sea, as designer brands turn summer escapes into curated…
From Cob to Concept is Rural Mod
Two kilometres beyond the last motorable road in the Garhwal Himalayas, a story unfolds that feels plucked from a half-remembered fairytale. Here, hidden deep within oak and pine, a house rises from the earth—its walls swell and bend as though…
Incredible success of AI music creators sparks debate on future of music industry
LONDON: When pop groups and rock bands practice or perform, they rely on their guitars, keyboards and drumsticks to make music. Oliver McCann, a British AI music creator who goes by the stage name imoliver, fires up his chatbot. McCann’s…
Cute, Japanese-inspired decor is an emerging interiors trend
With digital overload and constant stress dominating life, soft colours and whimsical objects work like visual therapy. That’s what Kawaii interiors aims to do. When GS Shruti (@shrustudies), a student and digital creator, finally began decorating her room, she knew…
Faisal C.K.’s compilation champions Liberty, Equality, and Justice in a polarized era
Abolishing Archaic Laws Faisal, a civil servant and public intellectual, calls for scrapping colonial-era laws that stifle democracy. He labels sedition a “living fossil,” a draconian tool that chills free speech—the lifeblood of democracy. Similarly, contempt of court is a “dinosaur,” often weaponized to…
Patrick Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway’s last surviving child, dies at 97
NEW YORK: Patrick Hemingway, the last surviving child of Ernest Hemingway who was inspired by his father to spend years in Africa and later oversaw numerous posthumous works by the Nobel laureate, died Tuesday at age 97. Hemingway, the second…
Devil in the details
What happens when a homegrown streetwear brand known for its raw, cinematic edge teams up with one of Marvel’s most layered anti-heroes? You get Kilogram’s ‘End of Days’, a 12-piece capsule that doesn’t just wear the Daredevil story—it inhabits it….
Not all processed foods are bad; Here’s what to look out for on food labels
NEW SOUTH WALES: If you follow wellness content on social media or in the news, you’ve probably heard that processed food is not just unhealthy, but can cause serious harm. Eating a diet dominated by highly processed foods means you’re…
ChatGPT to get parental controls after teen’s death
PARIS: American artificial intelligence firm OpenAI said Tuesday it would add parental controls to its chatbot ChatGPT, a week after an American couple said the system encouraged their teenaged son to kill himself. “Within the next month, parents will be…
Australia to tackle deepfake nudes, online stalking
SYDNEY: Australia said Tuesday it will oblige tech giants to prevent online tools being used to create AI-generated nude images or stalk people without detection. The government will work with industry on developing new legislation against the “abhorrent technologies”, it…
Ultra-processed food consumption affects sperm quality, metabolism: Study
NEW DELHI: Regularly consuming ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which are already linked to poor health outcomes, can negatively impact sperm quality and overall metabolic health, according to a new study. Published in the journal Cell Metabolism, the study provides strong evidence…
Not a great summer splash, swimmers face fecal contamination at beaches along US coastline
It’s a longstanding and widespread problem. Nearly two-thirds of beaches tested nationwide in 2024 experienced at least one day in which indicators of fecal contamination reached potentially unsafe levels, conservation group Environment America said in a report issued this summer. The group…
For the Sake of Good Times
Interestingly, the quality of sake is an expression of a region’s rice quality—with heavy polishing making for a cleaner, purer sake. For instance, in Okayama Prefecture, the dominant Omachi rice lends sake a rich, earthy, and complex profile. Travel further…
Dhawan not the one
Shikhar Dhawan has never been the one to blend in. With his explosive batting, twirling mustache, and signature ‘thigh-five’ celebrations, he has always been as much a performer as a player. A natural entertainer, he left behind snapshots of carefree…
AI Apocalypse? Why language surrounding tech is sounding increasingly religious
The language reminded him of early Christianity. “Only we’re gonna slide out God and slide in … your pick of cosmic science laws that supposedly do this and then we were going to have the same kind of glorious future…
‘Mistrust’ undermines Ivory Coast’s universal healthcare dream
However, less than four percent of those signed up to the CMU have used their insurance card this year, official figures show. A waste Marie Djedje said she joined the CMU but later gave up out of disappointment. “A card…
Is your diet influencing your dreams? Here’s what researchers say about food and nightmares
MONTREAL: Have you ever wondered if a bizarre dream was caused by something you ate the night before? If so, you’re not alone. We all have strange or unsettling dreams now and then, and when we do, we want to…
An AI simulation of a Mount Fuji eruption is being used to prepare Tokyo for the worst
TOKYO: Mount Fuji hasn’t erupted since 1707. But for Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day, Japanese officials have released computer- and AI-generated videos showing a simulation of a potential violent eruption of the active volcano. The videos, released this week, are meant to…
Sahil Sambhi's Latango brings Italian classics and European vibes to Delhi
Delhi’s dining scene is vibrant, and now restaurateur Sahil Sambhi of Japonico, Bawri, and Vietnom fame, has unveiled his latest venture, Latango, an all-day European bar in Nehru Place. It is conceived as a space to “bring the essence of…
I write when it becomes harder to keep quiet: Arundhati Roy
The subtext of straight talk continues in her latest work centred around the fraught relationship with her mother Mary Roy, a celebrated educator and women’s rights activist who fought the landmark case allowing Kerala’s Syrian Christian women equal rights in…
Craving Indonesian food? Head to Shangri-La Delhi’s food festival this weekend
At the pop-up, sambal appeared in dozens of variations, from the smoky Sambal Terasi with shrimp paste, to the Sambal Dabu Dabu from Manado in North Sulawesi, made with bird’s eye chillies, tomatoes and lime, or the fragrant Sambal Matah…
Reclusive Turkmenistan bids to go tobacco-free in 2025
ASHGABAT: When he was a teenager, Bekmurad Khodjayev used to hide from his parents to smoke. Fifty years later, the Turkmen pensioner is still hiding, but this time from the police. “I smoke in my apartment. But if I feel…
UN says one in four people lack access to safe drinking water
Drinking of surface water declines Since 2015, 961 million people have gained access to safely-managed drinking water, with coverage rising from 68 percent to 74 percent, the report said. Of the 2.1 billion people last year still lacking safely managed…
Doctors want women to know the nuanced reality of hormone therapy for menopause
Hormone therapy carries some risks When Leverenz was first prescribed hormone therapy last year, she kept worrying about the risks she’d heard about — then finally decided: “I can’t live like this anymore.” With a combination of three medications, her…
IMA welcomes GST cuts on cancer and essential medicines
CHENNAI: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has welcomed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council’s decision to reduce GST on several cancer-related and other essential medicines, describing it as a crucial step towards making healthcare more affordable for millions of…
Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre wrote a memoir. Months after her death, it’s coming out
NEW YORK: A posthumous and “unsparing” memoir by one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, will be published this fall, publishing house Alfred A. Knopf said Sunday. “Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for…
Mulling the power of pause
Mani Rao’s latest book of poetry, So That You Know, may be strewn with personal pronouns and a conversational tone, title onwards, but with the preface clarifying ‘these days I’m craving privacy even from myself’, the frankness could well be…
Unlike Reid’s previous novels, which explored public personas and performance—be it on stage or in sports—Atmosphere faces inwards.
The prose sparkles with warmth and urgency. It is compulsively readable, placing readers right among the ASCANs (Astraunaut Candidates) as they endure drills and training and share intimate conversations in off-duty hangouts. Reid doesn’t romanticise NASA, but instead shows it…
AI helps UK woman with motor neurone disease to rediscover lost voice after 25 years
But in the pre-smartphone era, having suitable recordings to draw upon was far less common. When Ezekiel could locate only one very short and poor quality clip, Poole said his “heart sank”. Nearly cried The clip from a 1990s home…
What it means and how safe the procedure is
This action follows similar warnings against other wellness chains, as regulators step up scrutiny of “inch-loss in one session” style advertisements that overpromise results. How safe is CoolSculpting?CoolSculpting, also known as cryolipolysis, works by freezing fat cells in targeted areas….
Nationwide initiative to prevent thalassemia launched
“This is not just a programme, it is a movement to secure healthier lives and a brighter future for countless families in India,” she said, adding that no child has to suffer from a condition that can be prevented. Highlighting…
Eating disorder symptoms in teens can be traced back to family hardship, reveals new study
MELBOURNE: Eating disorders can affect anybody, no matter their age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or body size. Yet the myth that eating disorders are diseases of affluence persists and can mean those from wealthier backgrounds are more likely to receive…
Nidhi Pandya’s latest on bringing Ayurveda back to everyday life
The author lives by these principles herself. “Healing doesn’t require perfection,” she says. “It requires rhythm, self-awareness, and trust in the body’s wisdom. Once people start living by rhythm rather than rules, everything shifts—digestion, sleep, emotions, energy, even relationships.” For…
10 tricks of logic that underpin vaccine myths
The biggest lie those who create and spread misinformation perpetrate is that they want you to think for yourself. They warn their target audience not to be “sheep” and not to let themselves be told what to believe by “mainstream”…
To get people reading, Denmark to end book tax
COPENHAGEN: Worried by a “reading crisis”, Denmark’s government will eliminate its sales tax on books, looking to get more citizens buying them, the culture minister said Wednesday. The Scandinavian country’s 25-percent tax on books is currently the highest in Europe,…
Foundation of healthy sexuality: Consent, communication and intimacy
Have accurate information Understanding sexuality from a scientific viewpoint is crucial for healthy attitudes. There is a reluctance to access accurate and comprehensive information. The secretive search is for the pleasure seeking or performance aspects. Misinformation from unreliable sources corrupts…
Renowned journalist Jules Witcover, best known for his ‘Politics Today’ column, dies at 98
Witcover was born in Union City, New Jersey, to a Jewish father and Catholic mother. He was raised Catholic and showed an early interest in writing. He wrote in his memoirs that he and a cousin produced a one-page family…
Brazil asks Meta to remove chatbots that ‘eroticize’ children
BRASILIA: Brazil’s government has asked US technology giant Meta to rid its platforms of chatbots that mimic children and can make sexually suggestive remarks, the attorney general’s office (AGU) announced Monday. Users of Meta’s platforms, which include Instagram, Facebook and…
‘Fixing’ neurodivergent kids misses point; it is schools that really need to change
Educational systems often create barriers because schools are not built with diverse ways of knowing and being in mind. Neurodiversity is not a problem to fix; it’s a dimension of human diversity to embrace. Inclusion should not depend on labels;…
Study finds COVID-19 may have aged blood vessels by 5 years, especially among women
NEW DELHI: A COVID-19 infection could age one’s blood vessels by about five years, especially among women, according to a new study. The effect was found to be stronger among women who experienced persistent symptoms after recovering from COVID-19 —…
Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs linked to rare but serious eye conditions
What do the new studies say? Two newly published studies investigated people with type 2 diabetes living in the United States over two years. The studies looked at the medical records of 159,000 to 185,000 people. One study found semaglutide or…
Into the green silence
The first thing you notice is the weight of the green. Not the polite emerald of a city park, but a green so dense it seems to fold around you. Step off the bus at the last tea stall on…
A Stitch in Time
For true blue watch enthusiasts and collectors, the experience of browsing, selection and information-seeking is as important as the final purchase. Fortunately, an elevated experience is guaranteed at Ethos Watches’ brand-new retail destination in Gurugram. Called the City of Time,…
Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia
The researchers used the policy change as a natural laboratory of sorts to study the effect of shingles vaccination on long-term health outcomes. In a statistically sophisticated analysis of health records, the team found that the vaccine reduced the probability…
Nepal opens 97 remote peaks for free climbing to boost tourism
KATHMANDU: Nepal has opened nearly 100 peaks in its remote western region for free climbing to boost mountain tourism, according to officials. In a bid to attract climbers to less-visited areas, the Himalayan nation’s government has waived the royalty for…
‘History Demands that We Acknowledge Its Incoherence’
Many think history is a dry and dated subject that has little relevance today. What would you like to say to them? Honestly, I think that’s an impossible position to maintain given the frequency of discussions about the Indian past…
Cricketer Siraj launches 1983 World Cup-winning wicketkeeper Kirmani’s autobiography ‘Stumped’
HYDERABAD: India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Sunday launched ‘Stumped: Life Behind and Beyond The Twenty-Two Yards’, the autobiography of 1983 World Cup-winning wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani. The book was launched in the presence of Kirmani, former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath, former…
Eliminating wires and risk of infection
Leadless pacemakers are a great advancement in pacemaker technology and a blessing for many patients. This pacemaker does not have wires or large battery and doesn’t need a surgical pocket for its implantation. It is approximately 3cm in length, shaped…
FSSAI holds national meet to review food labelling rules; experts propose front-of-pack warning labels
Sanjeev Sanyal, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, noted that “the issue of claims in advertisements also needs deeper scrutiny because even if there is supposedly scientific evidence supporting them, it needs to be validated externally.” He said…
A multidisciplinary approach that helps patients face ailments with dignity and fortitude
When we think of healthcare, we often imagine it in binary terms – people are either sick and need to be cured, or they’re well and need to stay that way. But the reality, especially for older adults dealing with…
Bone marrow transplant much safer, easier to find donor match now
Bone marrow transplant today is much safer than it was a few years ago. We now have better ways to find matching donors, says Dr G Vijay, Hemato Oncologist, VS Hospitals, in an interview with Sinduja Jane. Edited excerpts: What…
Elon Musk says he plans to sue Apple for not featuring X or Grok among its top apps
There was no immediate comment from Apple, which has faced various allegations of antitrust violations in recent years. A federal judge recently found that Apple violated a court injunction in an antitrust case filed by Fortnite maker Epic Games. Regulators…
Urgently scale-up research and innovation to end TB: WHO
A review by WHO South-East Asia found that Member States published over 3,000 TB-related research articles in the past six years, with 60 per cent being original research. However, uptake of research outcomes remains uneven due to knowledge gaps and…
Avoid ultra processed food to reduce weight, new study reveals
“This study puts beyond doubt what many of us have long said: it’s not just about ingredients; it’s about the way food is processed. Since most of the UPFs are high on fats/sugars and salt, FSSAI must now adopt strong,…
A tech expert explains how to clean it without doing damage
How should I clean my phone then? The good news is that cleaning your phone properly is simple and inexpensive. You just need to follow the guidelines backed by major manufacturers. You should also unplug and remove any protective cases…
Is it true foods with a short ingredient list are healthier? A nutrition expert explains
What is an ultra-processed food? A shorter ingredient list also means the product is less likely to be an ultra-processed food. This products made using industrial processes that combine multiple ingredients, often including colours, flavours and other additives. They are hyperpalatable,…
Lapses in detail, but still a worthy story
Oscillating across centuries and continents while hopscotching from subjects as diverse as quantum physics, metallurgy, history, philosophy, and international affairs is no mean feat, and Sanghi does a commendable job of juggling many balls with reasonable levels of dexterity. But…
The world nearly beat polio. But fake records, an imperfect vaccine and missteps aided its comeback
Mistrust of the polio eradication effort persists With an annual budget of about $1 billion, the polio initiative is among the most expensive in all of public health. This year, the US withdrew from WHO, and US President Donald Trump has cut…
Bengaluru blues of a retired man
Dattathri writes with a focus that is bound to charm his readers. It sucks you in right from the first page and makes one fly through the novel. In the very first page, he writes, ‘It was not just the…
Smoking linked to increased risk of slipped disc, warn doctors
SHILLONG: Doctors at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) here have warned that smoking significantly increases the risk of developing a slipped disc, also known as lumbar disc herniation. The warning came after…
bacteria, fungi and whatever lives between your toes
Super-spreaders Socks can also play a key role in spreading fungal infections like Tinea pedis (better known as athlete’s foot), a highly contagious condition that primarily affects the toes but can spread to the heels, hands, or even the groin. The infection is caused…
Why youth are turning to ChatGPT
An alarming trend of young adolescents turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT to express their deepest emotions and personal problems is raising serious concerns among educators and mental health professionals. Experts warn that this digital “safe space” is…
UK suffered from ‘complete’ amnesia over its colonial past, things getting better: Author Sam Dalrymple
Dalrymple’s book traces how five key partitions turned “Britain’s Indian Empire into 12 nation-states” over four decades — beginning with the separation of Burma and Aden in 1937, followed by the Persian Gulf states in 1947, the partition of India…
The Art of Fashion
How different are the designs from your previous presentations? NK: This is the first time we’ve introduced prints into our couture vocabulary. Until now, our couture presentations have primarily focused on colour and texture, without the use of prints. In this…
Beloved children’s author Allan Ahlberg dies at 87
LONDON: British writer Allan Ahlberg, author of more than 150 children’s books including classics like “Eat Peach Pear Plum” and “The Jolly Postman,” has died, his publisher said Friday. He was 87. Penguin Random House said Ahlberg died on Tuesday….
The twilight years of Jayanta Mahapatra
Cuttack, cake, and Tolstoy Mahapatra founded Chandrabhaga, a literary magazine, in the 1970s, to publish English poetry from Odisha. He had a certain obsession with this name, Das points out. It was also the name of his house, as well as the…
To stay sharper while aging, get active, challenge your brain, and eat healthy
Combining social engagement with exercise and dietary steps may be key, said Jessica Langbaum of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, who wasn’t involved with the study. “Americans want to have that one easy thing – ‘If I just eat my blueberries,’”…
I will now put on record the silences, says International Booker prize winner Banu Mushtaq
At 77, the International Booker Prize-winning Kannada writer, activist, and lawyer Banu Mushtaq is chatty, strong, and full of stories that speak of a lifelong fight against societal evils and setbacks — from women pushed to commit suicide from feelings…
Lalu Prasad Yadav co-writes folk legends anthology rooted in Gorakhnathi tradition
For the unversed, originally preserved through oral tradition and rich with fantastical elements — genies, fairies, ghostly figures, and divine sages — these ballads have long been central to regional performance traditions across melas, weddings, and spiritual gatherings. Through narratives…
How ancient viruses could help fight antibiotic resistance
Some phages developed small mutations in the proteins they use to attach to the bacterial surface – subtle changes that helped them avoid triggering Kiwa’s detection system. Others took a different approach: they allowed themselves to be detected, but escaped…
IVF is never 100% successful
Myth: IVF always guarantees a baby Fact: The belief that IVF always guarantees a baby is incorrect. IVF is never 100% successful, and its outcome largely depends on the woman’s age. Younger women, especially those under 35, have a higher…
how online body shaming harms teenage girls
You’re so ugly it hurts.Maybe if you lost some weight, someone would actually like you.No filter can fix that face. These are the sorts of comments teenage girls see online daily, via social media, group chats, or anonymous messages. While…
A love that is unconventional and poetic
Another striking quality that Gangopadhyay displayed is how he offers a perspective on Bengali lifestyle, for instance, the importance of Bengali Addas. He writes, “The modern idea of third space beyond home and work may have roots in the Bengali…
I won’t accuse, but I will put on record my silences in my autobiography: International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq
Banu, Does writing get complicated after winning an award? How do you manage the pressure? Banu Mushtaq: Awards bring joy, but also expectations. After the award, everything changed. There’s a lot of travel. I lose my personal time, but I’m…
Charting the shape of India
In an age when vast swathes of the world remained unmapped and mysterious, maps were more than navigational tools—they were instruments of power, knowledge, and ambition. In the late 18th century, as European empires scrambled to define and dominate distant…
After Prada ‘appropriation’, Maharashtra to certify authentic Kolhapuri chappals with QR code
What was once a humble, coarse village slipper, soon became a symbol of swadeshi identity under the royal patronage. To safeguard this cultural legacy and ensure fair recognition for artisans, the Maharashtra and Karnataka governments jointly secured the GI tag…
AI will soon be able to audit all published research — what will that mean for public trust in science?
AI is already helping police the literature Until recently, technological assistance in self-correction was mostly limited to plagiarism detectors. But things are changing. Machine-learning services such as ImageTwin and Proofig now scan millions of figures for signs of duplication, manipulation and AI generation. Natural…
Gilead’s vaccine breakthrough nears EU approval
CHENNAI: Gilead Sciences has achieved another milestone in its efforts to bring in a preventive drug to curb the still rapidly spreading HIV epidemic, in the world with the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) advisory committee issuing a positive opinion for…
Worried you’re knocking on heaven’s door already? All it takes to delay it is 7000 steps
But I would walk 7,000 steps And I would walk some more To cut the risk of cancer and to stop myself from knocking on heaven’s door… Turns out, it doesn’t take 10,000 steps to stay healthy. New research shows…
Is ChatGPT making us stupid?
AI and the Dunning-Kruger effect Generative AI is changing how people access and process information. For many, it’s replacing the need to sift through sources, compare viewpoints and wrestle with ambiguity. Instead, AI delivers clear, polished answers within seconds. While…
Triplet therapy offers a cure for cancers resistant to conventional treatments
When standard cancer treatments begin to fail, especially in aggressive or advanced stages, oncologists are increasingly turning to a newer strategy known as ‘triplet therapy’. Far from being just a combination of three drugs, this approach is designed to hit…
India’s first at-home IVF launched
India’s IVF sector is experiencing rapid transformation, driven mainly by growing demand and significant technological advancements. Once seen as a fertility treatment confined to large hospitals and metro cities, a new generation of fertility platforms is now bringing IVF (in…
India’s shot at stopping malaria on its tracks
India will soon have an advanced vaccine against malaria. In a major scientific breakthrough, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed an innovative recombinant, chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine that could transform malaria prevention and control efforts in India…
Severe Covid-19, not vax, increases risk of cardiovascular disease
There is no scientific evidence that Covid-19 vaccines cause sudden deaths, said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, the co-chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) Covid Task Force. Speaking with Kavita Bajeli-Datt, the convener of the Research Cell, Kerala, IMA, however, said, there is…
Around 30 per cent of Indians at risk of obesity: CCMB Study
Model proved more accurate for people of European ancestry The PRS model proved more accurate for people of European ancestry compared to South Asians. The model, created using genetic data from over five million individuals of various backgrounds, was found…
From Alam Khan to Rumi Harish, new book ‘The Call of Music’ documents stories of eight Hindustani musicians
NEW DELHI: From sarod virtuoso Alam Khan, son of the late legend Ali Akbar Khan, to musician and queer transmasculine activist Rumi Harish, “The Call of Music” explores the journeys of eight distinctive voices in Hindustani music — ranging from…
Musk’s X says French accusations of data tampering and fraud are politically motivated
Elon Musk’s social media platform X on Monday denied accusations from French prosecutors of alleged data tampering and fraud, calling them politically motivated. X was responding to an announcement earlier this month from the Paris prosecutor’s office, which said it was opening…
The Scent of a Man
Picking a sensible summer scent can be a tall order. One needs to select a potion which uplifts without being overpowering. Luckily, a promising panoply of luxury brands offer a soothing, refreshing range of fragrances and Eau de Parfums for…
Why drones and AI can’t quickly find missing flood victims, yet
The ranking is done by a classifier, which is an algorithm that learns to identify similar instances of objects – cats, cars, trees – from training data in order to recognize those objects in new images. For example, in a search-and-rescue…
Holidays in hell
Earlier this year, India unveiled Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan—a bold new initiative turning historic and active battlefields into immersive tourist destinations. Launched by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the project opens up 77 sites, including…
Can this reproduction technique prevent genetic disorders?
CHENNAI: A decade after the UK legalised mitochondrial donation—a pioneering reproductive technology that combines DNA from three individuals—questions are emerging about its effectiveness, safety, and the overall patient experience. Developed by scientists at Newcastle University, the technique uses nuclear DNA…
Exercise could ease symptoms for people with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, reveals new study
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) is the most common adult blood cancer in the western world, and it predominantly affects older adults. Most people are diagnosed after the age of 70, but increasing numbers of younger people, some under 60, are…
The Empire writes back
Burmese politician who served as Prime Minister of British Burma during the colonial era before the Second World War played a big role in instilling the sense of oneness among Burmese people. And this he did by promoting discrimination against…
Women have more freedom now, at the same time patriarchy has hardened: Banu Mushtaq
Mushtaq was joined by Bhasthi in the conversation, who said things have always been easier for women who come from a more privileged background than those from religious and racial minorities. “In a lot of different ways things have improved…
In new book, Ellen Burstyn reveals the secret that fueled her award-winning career: poetry
NEW YORK: Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn has a book coming out next year that reveals how she has been shaped by the power of words. HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced Wednesday that Burstyn’s “Poetry Says It Better” will…
How do you stop an AI model turning Nazi? What the Grok drama reveals about AI training
What makes an AI ‘behave’ this way? Pre-training First, developers curate the data used during pre-training – the first step in building a chatbot. This involves not just filtering unwanted content, but also emphasising desired material. GPT-3 was shown Wikipedia…
Amid US funding cuts, global health aid sinks to 15-year low in ‘era of austerity’
PARIS: Sweeping foreign aid cuts led by the United States will cause international health funding to plummet to the lowest level in 15 years, a study said Wednesday, warning the world has entered a new “era of global health austerity.”…
Mood, memory, material
A luxury design destination in the heart of Delhi—Gauri Khan’s new Delhi Experience Centre—is all that and more. From the ground level that offers a warm entry—think sculptural furniture, soft lighting, and conversation zones styled like a home’s heart to…
The foodie feminist bestseller skewering sexism in Japan
Via a letter soliciting the beef stew recipe that Kajii reportedly fed her final victim, the pair begin an intimate and life-changing relationship. This proves a vehicle for Yuzuki to chew over the roots of misogyny in Japan, where traditional…
Poet Andrea Gibson, candid explorer of life, death and identity, dies at 49
In a poem Gibson wrote shortly before they died, titled “Love Letter from the Afterlife,” they wrote: “Dying is the opposite of leaving. When I left my body, I did not go away. That portal of light was not a…
Rock that became a temple
In Cave One, Devaraja Lena—the Cave of the Divine King—is a massive 14-metre reclining Buddha, carved directly from the rock, with Ananda, his disciple, kneeling by his feet, and nearby a statue of Lord Vishnu, silent guardian of the cave,…
Even a day off alcohol makes difference, timeline maps health benefits when one stop drinking
SYDNEY: Alcohol has many negative effects on our health, some of which may surprise you. These include short-term impacts such as waking up with a pounding head or anxiety, to long-term effects including cancer. If you are thinking about taking…
Indonesia’s new history books spook scholars
JAKARTA: The Indonesian government’s plans to issue new history books have sparked fears that mention of deadly riots in 1998 targeting mostly ethnic Chinese in the country will be scrubbed from the text. The 10-volume account was ordered by the…
Hungary’s oldest library is fighting to save 100,000 books from beetle infestation
PANNONHALMA: Tens of thousands of centuries-old books are being pulled from the shelves of a medieval abbey in Hungary in an effort to save them from a beetle infestation that could wipe out centuries of history. The 1,000-year-old Pannonhalma Archabbey…
In the early stage, most breast cancers are painless
Myth: Breast cancer only affects middle-aged or older women Fact: Postmenopausal ladies are at more risk of developing breast cancer. However, we are seeing an increase in the number of young women in their 30s and40s also developing an aggressive…
Health experts raise alarms over rising vaping crisis among Indian youth
CHENNAI: Leading medical professionals have voiced serious concerns over the increasing use of vaping and related devices among children and youth in India. At an awareness campaign supported by the group Mothers Against Vaping, experts warned about the growing health…
UN warns four million could die from HIV by 2029 if US aid cuts aren’t offset
The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, was launched in 2003 by US President George W. Bush, the biggest-ever commitment by any country focused on a single disease. UNAIDS called the program a “lifeline” for countries with high…
New study maps how body parts interact under stress, researchers say it can help diagnose illness earlier
NEW DELHI: A new study has mapped how different body parts communicate with each other under physiological stress, such as during exercise or sleep deprivation, which researchers say could one day help diagnose an illness earlier. Researchers at the University…
Switzerland approves first malaria drug for infants
CHENNAI: Swiss-pharma major Novartis AG said early this week that its pediatric malaria treatment, Coartem Baby, received regulatory approval from Swissmedic, Switzerland’s national medicines regulatory authority. This marks a milestone in global health, as this Novartis drug is the world’s…
Ice baths are booming in popularity – but they come with health risks
Walk through any trendy suburb and you might find a new “wellness” studio offering ice baths or “” (a sauna and ice bath combo). Scroll social media, and you’re likely to come across with cult-like zeal. Ice baths have . Initially practised…
‘X’ CEO Linda Yaccarino resigns from Elon Musk-owned social media platform
NEW YORK: X CEO Linda Yaccarino said she’s stepping down after two years running Elon Musk’s social media platform. Yaccarino posted a positive message Wednesday about her tenure at the company formerly known as Twitter and said “the best is…
Are chemicals to blame for cancer in young people? Here’s what the evidence says
So what does the evidence say is causing this increase? And what can we do about it? Why does cancer mostly affect older people? Each cell in your body contains a copy of your DNA – the instructions needed to…
FSSAI warns stringent action against e-commerce platforms violating food safety protocols
The necessity for all warehouses associated with e-commerce operations to be duly registered or licensed by FSSAI was strongly reiterated. Additionally, e-commerce platforms were directed to share data pertaining to their warehouses, food handlers, and other relevant information with the…
Herbal medication, food supplements can cause serotonin syndrome
Humans need to produce serotonin since it has an impact on both the body and the brain. A neurotransmitter and hormone, serotonin is crucial for blood clotting, digestion, mood management, sleep, and overall well-being. However, often we are unaware that…
Sudha Murty’s ‘How I Taught my Grandmother to Read’ to be adapted into stage play in Delhi
The narrative follows the quiet but transformative journey of Vijaya, a 60-year-old grandmother in a village in North Karnataka who decides to learn to read with the help of her young granddaughter, Seeya. What begins as a simple storytelling routine…
A ripping yarn with a few loose threads
“I was saving India,” I reply. Kim saving India is a ripping tale of espionage, double crosses and Pink Panther-ish escapades, told in Alter’s clear prose with detailed historical Raj trinkets. It is the lot of writers who attempt to…
The power of a minute
The strength of the book lies in its ability to extract profound meaning from everyday moments. In one story, Chatterjee writes about his meeting with a serial entrepreneur, or the so-called “big daddy of Indian start-ups.” The story gives a…
Wheels, meals and all in between
Bicycles glide past rows of colourful houses, bursts of bougainvillea, quaint cafes and elfin boutique stores, smartly navigating the handfuls of pedestrians in a sleepy town. Still fondly called ‘Pondy’ by old timers. The coastal Indian town of Puducherry has…
Your face cream may be reason for mood swings
When a 22-year-old woman arrived at ESIC Model Hospital in Bengaluru with suicidal thoughts, doctors initially suspected a psychiatric condition. But what emerged instead was a lesser-known trigger — her skincare which included a topical steroid cream she had been…
New book series promotes empathy, inclusion, and cleft awareness
Whether it’s “The Guest”, about a girl facing fear and self-doubt due to her cleft condition who comes to realize she’s not alone in her struggles, or “Rehan’s Lucky Charm”, where a boy overcomes his discomfort with his sister’s facial…
Study estimates 13 per cent of biomedical abstracts published in 2024 involved use of AI
NEW DELHI: At least 13 per cent of research abstracts published in 2024 could have taken help from a large language model, as they included more of ‘style’ words seen to be favoured by these AI systems, suggests an analysis…
New study uncovers links to neurodegeneration after viral infection
CHENNAI: Dr. Danielle Beckman is a neuroscientist whose passion for studying the brain is helping to reveal how viral infections—like COVID-19—can affect brain health and possibly lead to long-term neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Originally from Rio de Janeiro,…
Healthy lifestyle more beneficial than anti-diabetes drug in long run, study finds
NEW DELHI: Adopting a healthier lifestyle is more effective than using the anti-diabetes drug metformin, with the benefits persisting over 20 years later, according to a study. The US Diabetes Prevention Program, launched in 1996, enrolled 3,234 patients with prediabetes…
Dubai’s booming restaurant scene is feeling the heat of high costs and high failure rates
Dubai has roughly nine expatriate residents for every Emirati citizen. Most of its private sector workers are migrants on temporary contracts, and only Vatican City has a higher share of foreign-born residents. Tourists, in turn, outnumber locals about five to…
Stimulating brain with weak electric currents may help improve learning maths, study suggests
‘Transcranial random noise stimulation’ — a non-invasive technique that involves delivering weak electrical currents to the brain via electrodes placed on the scalp — is being studied for how it can impact brain activity, such as improving cognition, depressive symptoms…
He pioneered the cellphone. It changed how people around the world talk to each other — and don’t
Global inequality is an issue The mobile advantage is coming to rich countries faster than poor ones. Adjusting to life in Russia when Nnaemeka Agbo moved there from Nigeria in 2023 was tough, he says, but one thing kept him…
Treating hormonal issues at birth can ensure normal growth in kids
Hormonal disorders in children can have significant physical, emotional, and social impacts. These conditions can affect growth, development, and overall well-being, making early diagnosis and treatment essential. Understanding these issues can help parents and caregivers take proactive steps to support…
Five surprising facts about AI chatbots that can help you make better use of them
3. Their knowledge is outdated every passing day AI chatbots do not continuously update themselves; hence, they may struggle with recent events, new terminology or broadly anything after their . A knowledge cut-off refers to the last point in time when…
Apple Music marks 10 years with new studio for artists, fans and the future of sound
CULVER CITY: As Apple Music turns 10 this year, the popular streaming service is celebrating a major power move: Apple Music Studios. The new studio, set to open in mid August, is a three-story, 15,000-square-foot creative playground in the Los Angeles area…
AI’s role in mental health grows, sparks expert concern
BENGALURU: As the usage of AI is expanding to address the concerns of mental health, stress and other related issues, the experts pointed out that there is a need to understand that how various tools are being used, the type…
A Sari State of Affairs
Aradhana Anand always loved Indian textiles. While furnishing her apartment, she experimented with mixing and matching silk saris to upholster a wingback chair. A combination of cotton ikat saris made for perfect fabric blinds. The result—limón, the Delhi-based custom-design studio…
Between Rubble and Resistance
We often dissociate ourselves from the violence and destruction taking place around us by putting up a smokescreen of either willful ignorance or a poor reasoning of distance. That aids in making a distinction of ‘us’ from ‘them’. The recently…
France bans smoking in beaches, in parks and bus shelters
Paris: France will ban smoking on beaches and in parks, public gardens and bus shelters from Sunday, the government said. The decree, published in the official government gazette on Saturday, will also ban smoking outside libraries, swimming pools and schools,…
Kolhapuri chappals ‘inspiration’ for footwear in fashion show, says Prada after controversy
MUMBAI: After a controversy triggered by the use of Kolhapuri chappals in a collection, Italian luxury fashion brand Prada has acknowledged the connection, saying the design is “inspired” by the Indian handcrafted footwear. The Italian house, however, said that sandals…
Low birthweight remains high in Maharashtra despite economic progress
CHENNAI: India has made steady progress in reducing the number of babies born with low birthweight over the past 30 years, but some states—particularly Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and West Bengal—continue to account for nearly half of all such births,…
Advanced treatment for Parkinson’s offers better quality of life
When 64-year-old MBK Nair first noticed a subtle tremor in his right hand in 2020, he brushed it off as fatigue or muscle weakness, assuming that could be a sign of aging. A retired electrical engineer from Bengaluru, he experienced…
More women are coming forward to freeze their eggs
Due to medical advancements and financial independence, more women are opting for egg freezing or oocyte cryopreservation in recent times, says Dr Kirthika K S, senior consultant, gynaecologist and infertility specialist at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, in an interview with Sinduja…
Weather 90 per cent favourable for Axiom-4 mission: SpaceX
The mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. The targeted…
Axiom-4 mission with India’s Shubhanshu Shukla finally lifts off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
As a part of the mission preparedness, the astronauts were in quarantine since May 25, for four weeks. This is the first time the astronauts have been on such a long quarantine period, the longest was during the Apollo Moon…
Axiom-4 mission with India’s Shubhanshu Shukla finally lifts off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency)…
Novo Nordisk rolls out its much-awaited obesity drug Wegovy in India
CHENNAI: Danish drugs and insulin maker Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy, its latest and the much-awaited weight-loss drug — a once‑a‑week semaglutide injection, in India today (June 24). The drug is currently being distributed and will hit pharmacies by the end…
Colour Drenching Is Becoming a Popular Interiors Trend
What to drench? Before you jump on the bandwagon, experts suggest incorporating the trend strategically. Shivaprasad advises not to try colour drenching an open layout home, as it can be challenging to define boundaries. She says, “However, at entrances, in…
Unravelling her vulnerable world
As the name suggests, Notes to John contains Joan Didion’s notes for her husband John Gregory Dunne. The writing focuses on her detailed conversations with a Freudian psychiatrist, Roger MacKinnon, discussing their daughter Quintana, and Didion’s struggles with work, anxiety,…
Flower that blooms in the desert
Part archaeological wonder and part landscaped public space, the Al Hili Archaeological Park showcases remnants of a Bronze Age settlement from 4,500 years ago. At its heart is the Hili Grand Tomb, a circular stone structure dating to around 2000…
India on the high seas
The shift isn’t just a trend—it’s backed by numbers. As per the Tourism Ministry, in 2023, over 2,00,000 Indians took to the seas. Skift, a New York-based travel data company, estimates out of roughly 4,70,000 travellers who took cruises in…
The book that breathes truth
One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its clarity of structure. Tharoor guides the reader through the key elements of the Constitution, starting with the preamble and then proceeding to the various organs of the state, the principles of…
India’s most prestigious literary award, JCB Prize for literature, discontinued
Karthika VK, publisher at Westland Books, said the prize added immense value to the Indian publishing ecosystem. “I’m sorry to hear it’s shutting down. We can only hope others will step in to fill the gap with prizes, grants, and…
Pope warns of AI risks to young brains
Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV warned on Friday of the potential consequences of artificial intelligence (AI) on the intellectual development of young people, saying it could damage their grip on reality. Since his election as head of the Catholic Church…
More microplastics in glass bottles than in plastic bottles: Study
PARIS: Drinks including water, soda, beer and wine sold in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles, according to a surprising study released by France’s food safety agency Friday. Researchers have detected the tiny, mostly invisible pieces…
HPV major factor for cancers in youngsters, say docs
It was in her late 40s that Meena (name changed), a mother of two, was diagnosed with cervical cancer after her routine check-up. “She was reluctant to undergo testing and came for routine check-ups as her daughter compelled her to….
The Alzheimer’s research that has Bill Gates excited
Commonly used in cooking for its distinct flavor and in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits, Rosemary herbs belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and contains a variety of active compounds, including rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and essential oils…
What to know about the COVID variant that may cause ‘razor blade’ sore throats
The COVID-19 variant that may be driving a recent rise in cases in some parts of the world has earned a new nickname: “razor blade throat” COVID. That’s because the variant — NB.1.8.1. or “Nimbus” — may cause painful sore…
Health search activity surges in India as COVID-19 cases rise past the 7,000 mark
CHENNAI: As India sees a concerning rise in COVID-19 cases, with active cases crossing 7,000 according to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Justdial have recorded a significant spike in COVID-related queries across…
Prolonged sitting, long hours on screens, less sleep can affect liver health
Q. Monsoon often triggers a spike in gastrointestinal infections. What are the most common liver-related complications observed during the season and how can those be prevented? A. Monsoon results in an increase in subsoil ground water, which can be contaminated…
Being fit helps, but it doesn’t eliminate risk of heart diseases
Myth: I’m fit and exercise regularly, so I don’t need to worry about heart disease Fact: Being fit helps, but it doesn’t eliminate risk. Genetics, diet, smoking, and cholesterol levels can still lead to heart disease — even in active…
Secularism's Old Soldier
After reading A Maverick in Politics 1991-2024 (Juggernaut), my response was that this is a book written by a brilliant mind. These are not the memoirs of a maverick but a brilliant ideologue caught in a time capsule. It encapsulates the…
Sleep disturbances are key predictors of mental health issues in adolescents: study
CHENNAI: Sleep disturbances are a significant predictor of future mental health issues in adolescents, confirms a latest study published in Nature Medicine. The comprehensive study involving over 11,000 adolescents from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study revealed that…
Top six movies to watch with your Dad
Celebrate the bond, the laughs, the lessons, and the love with films that spotlight fatherhood in all its glory. Whether you’re in the mood for heartfelt drama or light-hearted comedy, here’s a curated list of must-watch movies to enjoy with…
New book by psychotherapist Riri, parenting expert Anagha, offers tailored guidance for Indian parents
NEW DELHI: Released on the occasion of Father’s Day, a new book by acclaimed psychotherapist Riri G Trivedi and parenting expert Anagha Nagpal introduces a culturally sensitive take on parenting, equipping Indian parents with essential tools to address the challenges…
Because socks and ties just aren’t enough
Forget another thoughtless gift—this year, make it count. If your dad’s a fan of the classic white poplin shirt, surprise him with a refined twist in powder blue. Timeless styles in calming tones like mint green or buttercup yellow are…
Rare, Regional, Remarkable
Short stories have been getting the short end of the stick, with publishers refusing to even consider carefully curated collections in this format, favouring anthologies with big names instead. This has changed with Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp: Selected…
Food for thought
It is not just AIDS. Jaipur-based Café Vitthal’s founder Ashish Vitthal, says it isn’t easy to run operations with differently abled people on board. “I have been running this cafe for the past 10 years. It started when I saw…
Yael van der Wouden and Rachel Clarke win Women’s Prize book awards
LONDON: Dutch writer Yael van der Wouden won the Women’s Prize for Fiction on Thursday for her debut novel “The Safekeep,” a story of repressed emotion and suppressed historical memory in the Netherlands after World War II. British physician Rachel…
Study links low zinc levels to fever-related seizures in kids
KOLLAM: A hospital-based study by doctors at Sree Gokulam Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, has found an association between zinc deficiency and febrile seizures in children. The study, carried out between December 2022 and June 2024, analysed 158 children aged 6 to…
Why won’t my cough go away?
What if there’s no clear cause? Very occasionally, despite thorough testing and treatment, a cough persists. This is called refractory chronic cough. When no cause can be identified, it’s known as unexplained chronic cough. In the past, unexplained cough may…
Meta to invest $15 billion in Scale AI in a bid to achieve computerised ‘superintelligence’
Meta is preparing to unveil a $15 billion investment to pursue computerised “superintelligence”, an AI capable of outperforming humans across all tasks, by securing a 49 percent stake in Scale AI, according to The Gaurdian. This move marks one of Meta’s largest external…
CBSE mandate on ‘sugar boards’ a wake-up call, but let’s not stop there
Tiffin troubles: What are children eating at school? Even as we scrutinise sugar, it is time to examine another space: the school tiffin box. In far too many homes, hurried mornings result in children heading to school with white bread…
‘Day of the Jackal’ author Frederick Forsyth dies at 86
LONDON: Frederick Forsyth, the British author of “The Day of the Jackal” and other bestselling thrillers, has died after a brief illness, his literary agent said Monday. He was 86. Jonathan Lloyd, his agent, said Forsyth died at home early…
Global trial finds structured exercise cuts colon cancer deaths by 37 per cent
Professor Janette Vardy, international co-chair of the study and Senior Research Fellow at Sydney Medical School, said, “Our findings will change the way we treat colon cancer.” “Participants in the exercise program showed a significant improvement in disease-free survival compared…
The Glitz and Glamour of Brühl
Opulent, extravagant, over-the-top—even these adjectives can’t quite describe the glory of this place: The 120-room, horseshoe-shaped Augustusburg Palace in Germany’s Brühl—a small town between Cologne and Bonn—represents one of the first and perhaps the finest examples of Rococo creations in…
The Art of Fine Living
While redecorating their opulent homes in the past, the well-heeled of Delhi may have flown to France to stock up on exclusive Limoges porcelain, Italy for unique Murano glass-blown keepsakes, or to America for a more modern take on home…
India’s Booker prize author Banu Mushtaq
‘Confused’ But after marrying for love, Mushtaq found her life constricted. “I was not allowed to have any intellectual activities. I was not allowed to write… I was in that vacuum. That harmed me,” she said. She recounted how as…
A Few Hits, Lots of Misses
Dynastic families, hidden secrets, forbidden slow-burning romance, and a side of familial drama—Emily Henry’s Great Big Beautiful Life, has it all. Set in a quiet Georgian seaside town, it takes readers on a ride filled with intrigue, drama of the…
Power and Purpose India’s Roadmap to the Global Stage
The first wave of the book mentions an extraordinary accomplishment with the first decade of independence. It was the Apsara nuclear reactor in 1946. The design was conceptualised by Dr Homi Bhabha in 1955, who is often considered the father…
How groundbreaking gay author Edmund White paved the way for other writers
Greer and other authors speak of White’s work as more than just an influence, but as a rite of passage: “How a queer man might begin to question all of the deeply held, deeply religious, deeply American assumptions about desire,…
Heart attack or panic attack? Why young men in Australia calling ambulances for unmanaged anxiety
MELBOURNE: Anxiety affects one in five Australian men at some point in their lives. But the condition remains highly stigmatised, misunderstood and under-diagnosed. Men are around half as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder compared to women. Some…
Rising COVID-19 cases in India trigger spike in spam messages from hospitals; survey flags misuse of personal data
NEW DELHI: Are you receiving messages or calls from hospitals or labs to get yourself tested if you are unwell as COVID-19 cases are increasing in the country? If yes, you are among the hundreds of people in the country…
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Kenyan author and dissident who became a giant of modern literature, dies at 87
“He evoked for me, an unforgettable picture of a peasant revolt in a white-dominated world,” Ngũgĩ later wrote. “And suddenly I knew that a novel could be made to speak to me, could, with a compelling urgency, touch cords deep…
Edmund White, groundbreaking gay author, dies at 85
NEW YORK: Edmund White, the groundbreaking man of letters who documented and imagined the gay revolution through journalism, essays, plays and such novels as “A Boy’s Own Story” and “The Beautiful Room is Empty,” has died. He was 85. White’s…
The Many Shades of Love
Put a frog in boiling water and it’ll jump out, place one in room-temperature water that is boiled slowly and it’ll allow itself to burn to death. Even if modern-day biologists have debunked the actual scientific value of this allegory,…
British writer Bernardine Evaristo receives accolade for breaking literary boundaries
Another novel, “Blonde Roots,” is set in an alternative historical timeline in which Africans have enslaved Europeans, and was nominated for a major science-fiction award. “Mr Loverman,” which centers on a closeted gay 70-something Antiguan Londoner, was an attempt to…
Bright and Beautiful
I feel summers are more brutal to your skin than winters. While in winters you can slather on moisturisers, it’s a trick to keep the skin hydrated in summers, when the least bit of oil and grime can lead to…
Spruce Up the Scandinavian Way
Smart Storage Solutions “It’s not about removing things—it’s about giving them a designated spot,” says Vinithra Amarnathan, principal designer at Weespaces. She further recommends setting that spot within easy reach of where the item is actually used. “If toys often…
After the Guns Go Quiet
In 1945: The Reckoning, Phil Craig presents a powerful and nuanced account of the climactic final year of World War II, focusing not only on the battlefield, but more importantly, on what came after: the dramatic reordering of global power,…
FDA approves Moderna’s next-generation COVID-19 vaccine: Here's what makes it different
CHENNAI: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Saturday officially approved Moderna’s next-generation COVID-19 vaccine for use in key high-risk populations. This marks the first FDA endorsement of a COVID-19 vaccine since the agency revised its regulatory guidelines to…
Living with Enlightenment
Those people who don’t take life for granted will have a child-like innocence and find them participating with the movement of life with grace and joy. Success and failure become points of celebration rather than points of frustrations. The ordinary…
Farway Festival of Eclectic Esoterica
The road leading to the land of the Lisu tribe in Arunachal Pradesh is long and arduous. If one travels by road from Guwahati in Assam, it takes an overnight bus or train ride to Tinsukia, followed by a three-hour…
Musk’s Mind and Mayhem
A Washington Post reporter, Faiz Siddiqui’s portrait of Musk lists the world’s richest man’s misdemeanours. This fable begins with his initial attempt to rescue the boys stuck inside a cave in Thailand. Trying to be helpful, he goes there with…
Coffee can interfere with your medication — here’s what you need to know
4. Painkillers: Some over-the-counter painkillers, such as those containing aspirin or paracetamol, include added caffeine. Coffee can speed up how quickly these drugs are absorbed by accelerating how fast the stomach empties and making the stomach more acidic, which improves…
Experts warn of youth-targeted vaping ads using influencers and misleading claims
CHENNAI: Health experts, bureaucrats and social scientists have voiced grave concerns over the strategic marketing of vaping devices to school and college students through digital influencers, surrogate advertising, and misleading safety claims. Speaking at a seminar titled “Unmasking the Appeal:…
Raising special kids require special care
The month of April–considered as Autism Awareness Month–has drifted past us. During the month and beyond, numerous articles and posts zoom in on standing up for the needs and rights of children with special needs. That said, the challenges faced…
His prose was militant, held no brief for elites
NEW DELHI: In literature, life, and language Kenyan legend Ngugi wa Thiong’o was always off centre, pursuing directions away from canonisation. He died this Wednesday in the US at the age of 87, but his works will ensure he lives…
A journalist was killed while writing a book on the Amazon. Here’s how friends completed his work
BRASILIA, Brazil: After British journalist Dom Phillips was shot and killed while researching an ambitious book on how to protect the world’s largest rainforest, friends vowed to finish the project. Three years later, their task is complete. “How to Save…
Addressing anaemia next critical step to sustaining maternal health
Recently, in her address to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Health, Anupriya Patel, highlighted India’s progress in reducing maternal mortality– an achievement that certainly is cause for celebration. Our maternal mortality ratio fell dramatically, from 384 to…