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NIA arrests local political leader over SIR-related violence in West Bengal

Politics

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overdontleader

NIA arrests local political leader over SIR-related violence in West Bengal

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File. | Photo Credit: PTI Asserting that he has the blessings of Maharashtra's 14 crore people and senior leaders of the BJP, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday (June 28, 2026) said nobody can clip his wings, making light of Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray's "Operation Devendra" remarks.He also dismissed the political buzz triggered after he and former ally-turned-rival, Uddhav Thackeray, travelled on the same flight from Mumbai to Nagpur on Friday (June 26, 2026), claiming it was a "coincidence".Reacting to the intense speculation in state political circles, Mr. Fadnavis termed it "vedyancha bazaar" (mad market), noting that it was nothing unusual for two leaders to travel on the same flight.Mr. Fadnavis also made light of Mr. Thackerey’s "Operation Devendra" remark, saying since he doesn't have wings, nobody can clip them.He spoke to reporters after visiting Palghar district to review the Vadhavan Port and other infrastructure projects.Addressing a rally on Saturday (June 27, 2026), Mr. Thackeray caused a flutter by saying that "Operation Tiger" was actually "Operation Devendra", aimed at cutting the Maharashtra Chief Minister down to size to ensure he doesn't enter the (future) race for thePprime Minister's post."For me, political issues are secondary. My entire concentration is on development," Mr. Fadnavis said when asked about Mr. Thackeray's remarks."I am a human being. I don't have wings, so who can clip them? I have the blessings of Maharashtra's 14 crore people and my senior leaders, so there is no need to worry," he added."Operation Tiger" is the code name for engineering a split in the Shiv Sena (UBT), culminating in the defection of six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs, who joined the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, last week.Mr. Fadnavis said he was surprised by the political buzz after he and former ally-turned-rival, Uddhav Thackeray, travelled on the same flight from Mumbai to Nagpur on Friday (June 26, 2026)."It was a coincidence. There is nothing unusual about two leaders travelling on the same flight. Sometimes I wonder whether we are in politics or in 'vedyancha bazar' (market of mad people)," Mr. Fadnavis said.Claiming that there was no interaction of significance on the flight, Mr. Fadnavis said, "He (Uddhav) was sitting in one corner, and I was sitting in another. If we had been sitting next to each other, we could have chatted. What's wrong with that?"Responding to Mr. Thackeray's claim that he appeared "helpless" during the journey, Mr. Fadnavis said he spent the time in flight watching a movie or web series downloaded on his mobile phone."From the time the flight took off until it landed, I was watching it. So where exactly did they see any helplessness on my face?" he asked.Taking a swipe at Mr. Thackeray, the senior BJP leader said, "I accept his good wishes. If he had given them in 2019, the picture might have been different. Since he could not do so, I accept those good wishes now." Published - June 29, 2026 08:55 am IST

Not just at top, TMC cracks at grassroots too as people step out against ‘syndicates’

general

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peopleoverslams

Not just at top, TMC cracks at grassroots too as people step out against ‘syndicates’

4 min readNew DelhiJun 28, 2026 03:55 PM IST Yuzi's parents shared that they are not happy about the hate trolls on social media (Image: Instagram/yuzi_chahal23)Social media trolling may target celebrities and influencers directly, but it often affects their families too. In a recent interview with The Urban Guide, India cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, fondly called Yuzi, and his parents opened up about dealing with online hate comments—and their responses felt deeply relatable to many people online. Yuzi admitted that negative comments used to affect him more initially, but over time, he developed a different mindset.“Starting mein farak padta hai, lekin mera simple sa funda hai—jo cheez aapke haath mein nahi hai, uspar time waste mat karo. Isliye main ignore karta hoon. Jisko pasand karna hai karo, jisko nahi karna mat karo.” (Initially, it does affect you. But my simple belief is: don’t waste time on things that are not in your control. That’s why I ignore it. Whoever wants to like me can do so, and whoever doesn’t, doesn’t have to.) While Yuzi seemed calmer about trolling, his parents admitted that seeing negative comments about their child still hurts emotionally. “Bura toh lagta hi hai,” said his mother Sunita Devi. (Of course, it feels bad) His mother further explained why anger naturally arises when people say hurtful things online.Story continues below this ad “Jo galat bole unke liye gussa toh aata hi hai na. Kyu bol rahe ho tum… agar aap theek ho toh uske baare mein koi bole toh gussa toh aayega na,” Devi said. (Of course, you feel angry at people who speak wrongly. Why are they saying such things? If your child is right and people still say things about them, naturally, you will feel angry.”) Yuzi then jokingly added that he does not take criticism from random troll accountstoo seriously. The cricketer said that the trolls often have no followers and are often teenagers. His father, however, hinted that the hateful bashing is uncalled for, irrespective of who the trolls are.Story continues below this ad Why trolling affects parents so deeply According to Dr Abhinit Kumar, Senior Consultant – Psychiatry, ShardaCare–Healthcity, Greater Noida, parents often remain emotionally protective of their children regardless of age, fame, or success. “Even when a child becomes a successful adult or celebrity, hurtful comments, trolling, or online hate can deeply affect parents because they continue to see their child through an emotional and caring lens,” Dr Kumar said. The psychiatrist explained that negative comments can trigger anger, helplessness, sadness, anxiety, and frustration in parents—especially because they cannot fully shield their child from public judgment.Story continues below this ad “Social media trolling can emotionally impact the entire family, not just the individual being targeted,” he added. The psychiatrist also warned that constant negativity online may gradually create emotional exhaustion and stress for families, which simply want to see their loved ones respected and emotionally safe. That perhaps explains why Yuzi’s parents’ reactions resonated with so many people online. Even in the age of internet fame, one thing remains unchanged: parents rarely stop feeling protective about their children. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

Quote of the day by Aishwarya Rai: ‘Elegance is innate; individual...eternal…’

Economy

32updates

energylivequote

Quote of the day by Aishwarya Rai: ‘Elegance is innate; individual...eternal…’

Alfred’s famous line from Batman Begins — 'Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up' — remains one of cinema’s most enduring lessons on resilience, perseverance and personal growth.A simple line spoken by Alfred Pennyworth in Batman Begins continues to inspire audiences two decades after the film’s release.“Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.”The quote, delivered by Alfred Pennyworth in Christopher Nolan’s 2005 superhero drama Batman Begins, has become one of the most memorable lines in modern cinema.Though spoken within the context of Bruce Wayne’s journey to becoming Batman, the message has resonated far beyond the film itself, finding relevance in everyday life, leadership, sport, education and personal development.Meaning of the quoteAt its core, the quote is about resilience. Alfred reminds Bruce Wayne that failure is not something to fear or avoid. Instead, setbacks provide an opportunity to learn, adapt and emerge stronger.The line suggests that mistakes, disappointments and defeats are valuable experiences because they teach individuals how to recover and continue moving forward.The line also speaks to emotional strength. People often experience setbacks in relationships, careers, education and personal ambitions. Alfred's words acknowledge that disappointment and hardship are inevitable parts of life, but they do not have to define a person. What matters is how you respond to adversity. The ability to rise after a setback, rather than remain defeated by it, is what shapes character.Another reason the quote remains so powerful is its optimism. It reframes difficult experiences as opportunities rather than defeats. Instead of asking why bad things happen, Alfred encourages Bruce to focus on what can be learned from them. The message is ultimately one of hope: no matter how hard the fall, there is always the possibility of getting back up, wiser and stronger than before.Relevance of the quote in the filmWithin the story of Batman Begins, the quote carries particular emotional weight. Bruce Wayne is haunted by the loss of his parents and struggles with guilt, anger and self-doubt. Throughout the film, he repeatedly faces physical and emotional setbacks as he searches for purpose and justice. Alfred uses the line to remind him that falling is a natural part of life and that true character is defined by the ability to rise again.Alfred Pennyworth is far more than Bruce Wayne’s butler. A trusted guardian, mentor and father figure, Alfred serves as the moral compass of the Wayne family. In Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, the character is portrayed by Michael Caine, whose performance brought warmth, wisdom and emotional depth to the role. His guidance helps shape Bruce Wayne into the hero Gotham City ultimately needs.Released in 2005, Batman Begins marked the start of Nolan’s acclaimed Dark Knight trilogy. The film rebooted the Batman franchise with a more grounded and realistic approach, exploring Bruce Wayne’s origins and transformation into the iconic vigilante. Starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, the film was both a critical and commercial success and is widely credited with redefining the modern superhero genre.More than 20 years later, Alfred’s words remain relevant because they speak to a universal truth: setbacks are inevitable, but growth comes from the determination to stand up again. In a world where success is often celebrated and failure is feared, the quote serves as a reminder that resilience is often the foundation of achievement.About the AuthorTrisha BhattacharyaTrisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. She holds a Master’s degree in Eng

‘Without me, there would be no Israel,’ claims Trump as he seeks to finalise a peace deal with Iran

Economy

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trumpiranlive

‘Without me, there would be no Israel,’ claims Trump as he seeks to finalise a peace deal with Iran

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) claimed that he would be able to stop Israel from carrying out any more strikes in Lebanon, asserting that the Israeli leadership acts on his directions due to what he calls strong mutual respect.Trump made these remarks during an interview on The Axios Show. When asked if he could influence Israeli military actions in the Middle East region, especially potential strikes on Beirut, the US President said that he would be able to exercise control over such decisions. He added, "Yeah, I will be. I mean, they have a lot of respect for me, and they do as I say."Trump's remarks come days after he signed the US-Iran interim peace deal, a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), at Versailles, France. The agreement, which is aimed at ending the US-Iran conflict permanently, also seeks the permanent and immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. However, so far, Tel Aviv has continued with its military offensive in Beirut to target Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, a move that has irked Trump a lot more in the last few weeks and strained ties between the two leaders.Trump-Netanyahu tiesDuring the interview, he also referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said that he maintains a strong but closely watched relationship with him and added, "It's good, but we have to keep him a little bit sane."His remarks came after the US President expressed frustration with Netanyahu over jeopardising the US-Iran deal. According to reports, the Israeli prime minister was also sidelined from the negotiations that led to the interim deal. The Wall Street Journal reported that the frequent phone calls between the two leaders have now become less friendly. During a recent phone call about Beirut, Trump asked Netanyahu, "Why are you blowing up buildings?" and asked him to "stop blowing up buildings." In another call, he reportedly complained that the worldwide downturn sparked by the war could tie him to Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression of the 1930s.Since the war began in late February, the US President has yelled at Netanyahu on several occasions, a fact he acknowledged earlier this month. Earlier this week, he said, “Without the US, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel because no other President was willing to do what I did. I have had a great relationship with Bibi. Now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.”Earlier this month, both Netanyahu and Trump downplayed their rift. Speaking with CNBC, he said that while they sometimes have "tactical disagreements," they "agree on the main things." He said, "Sometimes we have, as in the best of families, these tactical disagreements, but we always find a way to work them out, and we do so as great friends."The Israeli PM added, "We can disagree in the morning" and find common ground by the afternoon.During the interview, Trump reiterated that without him, Israel would have been "eviscerated." He added, "Remember this: if I don't terminate the JCPOA--road to--remember that was a road to a nuclear weapon legally. It says right there. And Obama thought he could pay them off. He gave them billions and billions of dollars, 1.7 billion in cash. You know, it was a well-known story, but it didn't work. You can't bribe your way out of it; you can't pay your way. But if I didn't do that and if I didn't attack their nuclear supply 10 months ago with the B-2 bombers, Israel would not exist today."Israel-Hezbollah ceasefireOn Friday (local time), reports suggest that a renewed ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hezbollah amid efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.CNN, citing sources familiar with the negotiations, reported that Israel and Hezbollah have reached an agreement to reinstate a ceasefire, which came into effect at 9 am (local time).However, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that the Israeli forces would c

Kerala HC allows time to State on anti-ragging amendment Bill

Politics

6updates

2026livekerala

Kerala HC allows time to State on anti-ragging amendment Bill

Former Finance Minister and DMK leader Thangam Thennarasu, on Monday, said the State government should not grant approval for the four hydrocarbon exploration wells proposed by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at Parankipettai in Cuddalore district.“The DMK government headed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had decided not to allow any hydrocarbon projects in the State in view of the potential damage to the environment and agriculture. When the ONGC submitted an application to study the availability of hydrocarbons in Ramanathapuram, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority was advised not to grant permission,” he said in a social media post.Mr. Thennarasu said the State government should oppose the projects in Parankipettai as they would affect natural resources and the livelihoods of fishermen. He also urged the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority not to grant clearance for the projects. Published - June 15, 2026 11:53 pm IST

Don't miss this beautiful 3-planet parade after sunset on June 12 — it won't last long

Science

3updates

dontparadebeautiful

Don't miss this beautiful 3-planet parade after sunset on June 12 — it won't last long

Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter align low over the western horizon after sunset, creating a satisfying mini planetary parade and a perfect astrophoto opportunity using a wide-angle lens or even just a smartphone.Even though Venus and Jupiter have drifted apart slightly since their tight embrace on June 9, Mercury has climbed up beautifully from the sun's glare to join the party. Together, they form a striking slanted line along the ecliptic in the west-northwestern sky right after sunset.This is a high-speed game. The optimal viewing window starts exactly 30 minutes after your local sunset and lasts for only about 30 to 45 minutes before Jupiter and Mercury follow the sun below the horizon.Look for blazing Venus first — it will pop out while the sky is still bright. Drop your eyes down and slightly to the right to easily spot Mercury and Jupiter.For observers using telescopes or imaging equipment, June 12 also offers an interesting opportunity to compare the appearance of the three worlds. Venus will show a small, intensely bright, 80%-illuminated gibbous disk, while Mercury will present a stark contrast with its 50%-illuminated "half-moon" phase. Resolving a clean, tiny half-Mercury in twilight is an elite visual feather in any amateur's cap. Jupiter will appear as a much larger disk, although its low position above the horizon means atmospheric turbulence may blur some detail. Under steady conditions, advanced imagers may be able to capture hints of the planet's famous equatorial cloud belts alongside Mercury's sharply defined silhouette. Approximate positions of the three planets on June 12 at 9 p.m. local time. (Image credit: Starry Night)For photographers, however, June 12 is all about landscape composition. Put away the prime-focus telescope adaptors and grab a 50 mm to 85 mm prime lens on a DSLR/mirrorless camera. Expose for the deep twilight sky colors and frame the three planets as a slanted cosmic ladder ascending over a crisp local silhouette — like a mountain ridge, a distant city skyline, or a line of pine trees.If you're looking for a telescope or binoculars to observe the night sky in more detail, our guides for the best binocular deals and the best telescope deals can help. Our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography can help you get ready to capture the next stunning skywatching event.

Watch the Eta Aquarid meteor shower online with these free livestreams

Science

7updates

dontwillonline

Watch the Eta Aquarid meteor shower online with these free livestreams

(Image credit: Paramount) Norton is renowned for providing industry-leading antivirus and security software. The US brand's VPN service is recommended as one of the best VPN services and also one of the most improved VPN providers of 2026 by our tech expert colleagues at TechRadar.Norton VPN scored an impressive 4 out of 5-star rating with its speeds, ease of use, and straightforward app being some of its review features. Norton has just dropped discounts across its three VPN plans, and you can save up to 64% or $70 when you sign up for a one-year plan.Save up to $70 off when you sign up for a Norton VPN one-year plan at Norton.As well as providing a host of online security features, a VPN allows you to view all your space and sci-fi streaming shows and movies from anywhere in the world.There is a load of exciting sci-fi series coming in the next few months, including Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, which is scheduled to premiere globally on Paramount+ on Thursday, July 23, 2026.The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise — led by Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) — is set to embark on another season of thrilling and emotional adventures across the stars. Rebecca Romijn, who plays Commander Una Chin-Riley in the acclaimed sci-fi series, recently told fans, "We're so proud of this Strange New Worlds, and we're really proud of season 4; we think it's our best season yet."Paul Brett is a deals writer at Space, Live Science, and across the Sports and Knowledge titles at Future. Paul is a huge sci-fi fan, hooked on Star Wars from the moment he saw A New Hope in the cinema, and as part of his deals hunting role at Space, has started an unplanned (and expensive) Lego Star Wars collection.We've got you covered with reviews and rankings of the best telescopes, binoculars, star projectors, cameras, drones, Lego, streaming and more. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Season 4 Official Teaser | Paramount+ (CCXP Mexico 2026) - YouTube Watch On A VPN is a solution to geo-blocking when it comes to viewing your streaming services. Assuming it complies with your broadcaster’s T&Cs, you can use a VPN to unblock the streaming services you're subscribed to and allow for uninterrupted viewing from any location.Norton not only unlocks streaming geo-restrictions but also comes with added security benefits, which are particularly useful when overseas and connecting to unknown Wi-Fi connections. It offers ad blockers, anti-malware protection, a password manager and breach scanner, fast connections, and identity theft insurance. It means you can view and download content, work, and generally be online anywhere in the world with confidence.These Norton deals are live now, running from June 11-24 inclusive, with prices and offers varying depending on the plan chosen and your location.Key features: Up to 64% discount, high-speed VPN, ad and tracker blocker, anti-malware protection, password manager, data-breach scanner and cloud backup.Price history: Before today's deal, the price of the popular "Plus" plan was $109.99. It's now 64% off and takes it down to just $39.99, or $3.33 for a one-year plan.✅ Buy it if: You're looking for maximum online security, and you want to stream all your favorite shows anywhere in the world.❌ Don't buy it if: Either you already have a VPN, or you're not in the market for one. Those are the only reasons you wouldn't make the most of this excellent value offer.Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more. Disclaimer We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishi

Don’t need coaches driving intensity standards when Virat Kohli is around: Andy Flower

general

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viratdontneed

Don’t need coaches driving intensity standards when Virat Kohli is around: Andy Flower

2 min readNew DelhiJun 11, 2026 11:51 AM IST Virat Kohli's new stylist unveils the cricketer's new hair look (Photo: @rashidtheartist/Instagram)After a smashing victory in the IPL 2026, Virat Kohli has unveiled his new hairstyle, setting the internet on fire. The star Indian cricketer was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s championship campaign, finishing the season with 675 runs from 16 matches. The cricketer’s updated look was recently shared on Instagram by celebrity hairstylist Rashid Salmani. Along with a fresh haircut, Kohli appeared to experiment with a new pastel hair colour. Sharing the video, Salmani wrote, “King Kohli, now in pastels. #rashidtheartist #viratkohli #pastelhaircolour.”Watch here: Fans react to Virat Kohli’s new haircut The viral video drew a wave of reactions. “Do you remember the hairstyle he had when he first arrived in IPL 2026? Wasn’t that so adorable as a hairstyle?” a fan noted. Several fans stressed that Kohli’s haircut and hair colour during the IPL were better than the new look. “Facecard is so insane that even a bad haircut looks damn on him,” another user commented. “This is a strange haircut… Try something new Mr Kohli. I feel boring to see the same style for 10 years,” a third user reacted. This is not the first time Salmani has worked with Kohli. Back in 2022, the hairstylist had shared a photograph featuring the cricketer showing off another styled look. Salmani has also recently styled the hair of Bollywood actor and Kohli’s wife, Anushka Sharma. Beyond Kohli, Salmani’s client list includes several Indian cricketers, including Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and players such as Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Rinku Singh. Kohli is currently recovering from a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, beginning on June 13. His availability for the ODI series against England remains uncertain. DISCLAIMER: This article covers a trending social media update regarding a public figure’s new hairstyle and general sports news. It is published for pure entertainment and informational purposes.

Don't miss the moon and Saturn put on a spectacular show before sunrise June 10

Science

moondontmiss

Don't miss the moon and Saturn put on a spectacular show before sunrise June 10

The early morning sky on June 10 will offer quite the treat with Saturn shining close to the moon. In this photo captured Dec. 17, 2020, the moon shines to the left of Saturn and Jupiter. (Image credit: Christophe Lehenaff viaGetty Images) Early risers on Wednesday morning (June 10) will be able to partake in an interesting rendezvous between the moon and a bright planet. Set your alarm for 3 a.m. and upon heading outside, look due east. Make sure you don't have any tall obstructions, such as trees or buildings, in your way. You'll first notice a fat waning crescent moon, two days past last quarter phase. At that hour, the moon will stand 10 degrees above the horizon, roughly the equivalent of the width of your fist.Then, look about 5 degrees (half a fist) to the lower right of the moon and you'll see a rather bright "star" shining with a soft yellowish-white hue. Except that's not a star, but a planet.The "Lord of the Rings" — Saturn.If you are unable to see the moon and/or Saturn because trees or buildings are blocking your view, then wait another hour until the eastern sky has begun to light up with the break of dawn. By that time, both objects will have doubled their respective altitudes above the horizon and shifted toward the east-southeast.Celestial pièce de résistanceFor most amateur and professional astronomers, Saturn is the telescopic showpiece of the night sky. No photograph or verbal description can duplicate the thrill of seeing this ringed beauty through a telescope for yourself.The generally accepted magnification for getting a glimpse of the rings is 30x, however, Murray Paulson, who edits the Planets and Satellites section of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's Observer's Handbook comments that "The rings. . . are visible even in steadied (or image-stabilized) high power binoculars and small spotting scopes." Those rings consist of countless billions of particles, the bulk of which are tiny, measuring from about the size of a grain of sand up to car-sized boulders, though the largest boulders are estimated to range anywhere from 30 to 60 feet (9 to 18 meters) across. These particles are made of — or covered by — water ice. This would account for their exceedingly high reflectivity. The reason that "rings" is plural and not singular is that gaps and brightness differences define distinct rings; complex subsystems of rings within rings. Approximate location of the duo in the predawn hours on June 10. (Image credit: Created in Canva Pro by Daisy Dobrijevic)Coming attractionsIn the weeks and months to come, Saturn will become increasingly more well-placed to observe in the sky as it rises a little earlier each night. Saturn started June within the boundaries of the non-zodiacal constellation of Cetus the Whale, then crossed into Pisces the Fishes on June 3. It will then come to a halt on June 27, after which it will begin a 4.5-month period of retrograde motion, causing it to move back into Cetus on Sept. 5, where it will remain for the balance of the year. It will arrive at opposition on Oct. 4, rising at sunset and well up in the south-southeast around midnight. It is the only bright star (but not superbright like Venus and Jupiter) in that region of the sky.From now until 2039 (Jan. 22), the sun will be shining on the south face of the rings. As seen from the perspective of the sun, the rings will smoothly open out to a maximum of 26.96 degrees (widest open) on May 12, 2032, then smoothly close again. But as seen from here on Earth, the inclination angle will vacillate during the year because we (like Saturn) are moving around the sun and so we will view the planet from different angles. When 2026 began, the rings appeared nearly edge-on at an inclination of just 0.9 degrees. During June, the angle widens from 8.3 to 9.0 degrees. They'll reach a maximum of 9.1 degrees on Aug. 1, then will close to 6.1 degrees on Dec. 1.Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium

The moon shines with a swarm of stars on May 21 as Jupiter, Venus and Mercury line-up nearby

Science

8updates

moondontstars

The moon shines with a swarm of stars on May 21 as Jupiter, Venus and Mercury line-up nearby

Jupiter and Venus approach conjunction behind Rocca Calascio castle in Italy on April 30, 2022. (Image credit: Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Shortly after sunset on June 9, Venus and Jupiter will look very close together, in what is known as a planetary conjunction.Sunlight will reflect off the cloudy tops of Venus and Jupiter before journeying millions of miles to enter Earth's sky in almost the same place, making the planets appear very close to one another on Tuesday (June 9). But in reality, the two planets will be separated by at least four Earth-sun distances in space.A conjunction between Jupiter and Venus also happened just ten months ago, in August 2025. Before that, in May 2024, preceded by March 2023. Its occurrence roughly once every year is a sign of a wonderful arrangement of planets that may be absent around other stars. And as it turns out, the conditions that set Venus and Jupiter up for their conjunction are the same that are critical for life to survive on Earth.'Pie' in the skyThanks to the explosion of exoplanet discoveries over the past decade, planetary scientists like Kat Volk, who works at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, know there are many distant worlds taking wonky and puffed-up loops around their parent stars. But the solar system is more like a pie of pizza.The flat-disk shape means that, although the sky is a huge dome above our heads, the planets can only appear in part of it.Venus, Jupiter, and their planetary siblings travel in almost concentric circles around the sun. That means that the planets appear just a handful of degrees above or below the sun's apparent path through the sky, called the ecliptic. (The ecliptic is really the Earth's orbital plane, but from our perspective it appears as though the sun is in motion.)The Earth's orbital plane is only tilted a little relative to the average plane of the solar system, called the invariable plane, Volk tells Space.com."That's why, as we're watching them in the sky, they're all kind of following a path along the ecliptic plane."It's all reflective of how the sun and the planets formed, said Volk."When the sun was being born out of some cloud of gas and dust, it was collapsing down to form the star. Then, angular momentum caused the material surrounding that [star], that didn't make it into the sun, to form a disk that is rotating and orbiting around the star. The really massive bodies in the solar system — the planets — tended to form within that disk," said Volk. A simulated view of the orbits of the planets on June 9, 2026. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)But no two stars are the same. Some systems deviate significantly from this proto-structure. "If there's another Earth out there, there's no guarantee that the observers on that 'Earth' would see the same kind of nice ecliptic plane that we see in our solar system."Our cosmic neighborhood is flat and relatively circular, but that is not universal. "The sun isn't by itself in the galaxy," said Volk. "A lot of stars form in clusters. Sometimes stars actually interrupt and interact with each other," which could boot baby planets into a "wider range of inclinations."Larger planetary tilts may have happened in the ancient past to our solar system. But after the gas giants migrated from nearer to the sun to the cold reaches they inhabit today, the inner planets and the remaining mass of small bodies like comets and asteroids likely helped to balance out their orbits.As a result, Earth gets to inhabit what's known as a "dynamically cold" configuration. The planets coast past one another on the ecliptic, and appear to us to nuzzle one another every so often. Jupiter and Venus as seen during conjunction over Italy on April 30, 2022. (Image credit: Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images)The planetary dance and life on EarthThese celestial musings are a symptom of a solar system that supports life on Earth. Orbital dynamics control the distance a planet is from

Drive slower, go electric, don't drive at all? The best options for saving gas

World

3updates

dontslowerdrive

Drive slower, go electric, don't drive at all? The best options for saving gas

A customer pumps gas into his car at a Chevron station on May 4 in Los Angeles, Calif. Gas prices have surged to a 4-year high, as tensions in the Middle East continue. Gasoline in California is over $6 a gallon. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America hide caption toggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America The national average for a gallon of gasoline is $4.55, according to AAA; that's a four-year high, unwelcome news for drivers as the U.S. heads into one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. AAA estimates a record 45 million Americans will travel this weekend, despite high prices for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Loading... Gasoline prices have been elevated since the start of the war in Iran, and there's no sign of relief on the horizon. High prices are angering voters and straining household budgets. In California, which has the highest gasoline prices in the nation, Gov. Gavin Newsom is openly feuding with the oil giant Chevron, discouraging Californians from filling up at its stations. Chevron and the state have been in a tense relationship for years; Chevron moved its headquarters out of California in 2024 after complaining about state and local regulations, and is currently buying oil shipped through an offshore pipeline that California has attempted to keep shut down. In the latest salvos, Chevron has posted placards at California gas stations blaming state policies for the high prices, while Newsom's office is telling Californians they can get cheaper gas at unbranded stations. Californians, if you’re hitting the road this holiday weekend, be sure to AVOID Chevron.Pro tip: unbranded gas comes from the same refineries, storage tanks, and pipelines, and it meets the same state standards to keep your engine running clean, even if it doesn’t have a fancy… pic.twitter.com/FMTnNHE0Bn— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) May 21, 2026 But where does all this leave drivers? Despite high prices, most Americans are unwilling, or unable, to give up on driving. Americans have been logging more miles since the war with Iran started, according to the analytics company Arity, which tracks driving habits. What can you do to cut costs? We asked the experts for ideas. Drive smoothly. Pay less The key to getting the most miles out of each gallon is driving efficiently. That means smooth acceleration, soft braking and slowing down. Underinflated tires, heavy boxes in the back seat and an unused ski or luggage rack on the top of the vehicle can also make it less fuel efficient. Some high-performance vehicles require premium gasoline. But if it's only recommended, you can skip it without damaging the car, according to Consumer Reports' deputy auto editor, Jonathan Linkov. "All cars, except the most esoteric supercars or older cars, can run fine on regular," said Linkov. Are you considering going electric? Data suggests that higher gasoline prices have many drivers at least thinking about giving up gas-powered cars altogether. But the data on sales isn't so clear-cut. New-EV sales are still depressed following the abrupt end of a $7,500 federal consumer tax credit last fall. It's also tax refund season, which can push up car sales of all types, compared with the previous month. CarGurus reports that used-EV sales did seem to accelerate in the month of March, and Cox Automotive reports strong prices for used EVs at wholesale auction, noting that rising gas prices "may have positively influenced demand." On the other hand, data from the sites iSeeCars.com showed no appreciable shift in used-EV sales. It's not surprising to see a rise in shoppers' interest before a rise in actual sales, especially for a purchase as significant as a vehicle. "What consumers are viewing on the site tends to be an earlier indicator than sales," says Kevin Roberts, the director of economic and market intelligence with CarGurus. But analysts note that high gasoline prices do motivate shoppers to select for

‘Must reflect’: India on China’s support to Pakistan in Operation Sindoor

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dontmustpakistan

‘Must reflect’: India on China’s support to Pakistan in Operation Sindoor

RSS’s Dattatreya Hosabale has advocated reopening dialogue with Pakistan. Is it the right moment? On May 12, senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale said that Pakistan’s military and political leadership had lost India’s confidence, and that it was time for “civil society to lead the way”. He added: “The security and self-respect of a country has to be protected, and the government of the day should take care of it. But at the same time, we need not close the doors. We should always be ready to engage them in a dialogue.” He said that trade and commerce and the issuance of visas should not stop, and that cultural affinities between the two countries work in favour of better ties between their civil societies. “Academicians, sportspersons, scientists and community leaders should come forward there, as their political leadership and military leadership have developed aversion towards India.” Pakistan has reportedly welcomed this call. Its foreign ministry spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, told a press briefing in Islamabad on May 14 that “the voices within India calling for dialogue are obviously a positive development”. However, my experience in service, and later, does not give me cause to believe that Pakistan’s civil society has the clout to push its government towards better ties with India. Civil-society groups in the two countries are bound by the attitudes and policies of the regimes in power — this is especially so with regard to foreign policy.The overarching power of the Pakistani armed forces makes it especially difficult for India-friendly people in the country’s society to take initiatives to further contacts with their neighbour. The intelligence-fundamentalist-bureaucracy-dominated nation, in fact, pays more heed to the diktats of foreign powers than to the advice of some domestic agents. The process began in 1950 when then-Pakistan PM Liaquat Ali Khan declared that the formation of new political parties in opposition to the Muslim League was “against the interest of Pakistan”. The same year, speaking in Washington, he signalled America’s growing role in Pakistan’s power structure by saying, “If your country will guarantee our territorial integrity, I will not keep any army at all.” In 1953, General Ayub Khan went further: “Our army can be your army.” Such dependence weakened democratic institutions. Today, army chief Asim Munir dominates Pakistan’s politics. Will he encourage meaningful civil-society outreach with India? My first exposure to India-Pakistan civil society dialogue came in 2010, when the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation invited me to a roundtable comprising representatives of the two countries in New Delhi. Unable to attend, I sent a note advocating a “peace constituency” between the two societies — this was later published in an Indian national newspaper and endorsed by Pakistani human rights activist I A Rehman, who had attended the meeting. I participated in their second conclave in New Delhi in May 2010, which was attended by senior Pakistani representatives like former foreign secretary Humayun Khan, former army chief General Jehangir Karamat, I A Rehman and former minister Sherry Rehman, a member of the National Security Committee of Pakistan’s Parliament. All of them knew that I was a member of the two-person high-level committee appointed by the Maharashtra government to enquire into the systemic lapses during the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. During a private interaction with General Karamat, I asked him why Pakistan uses militants against India. I reminded him about the two highest level R&AW-ISI meetings in the late 1980s. At that time, General Hamid Gul had told his Indian counterpart that Pakistan was supporting terrorism against India as “it was afraid of its size”, and that it was “India’s responsibility to instil confidence in a small country like Pakistan”. Karamat’s reply was typically evasive. He said that politicians from Punjab (Pakistan) were patronising militants to stre