Baya Weavers: Upholding Darwin’s theory of evolution: The ‘genius’ nests of Baya weavers may be nature’s most brilliant snake-deterrents

Upholding Darwin's theory of evolution: The 'genius' nests of baya weavers may be nature's most brilliant snake-deterrents

If Charles Darwin could scroll through today’s wildlife videos, we bet he’d pause at the footage of the Baya weaver and say, “Now this is natural selection at its best.”Over 150 years ago, Darwin introduced us to evolution by natural selection, primarily in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, stating that organisms that have traits best suited to their environment have a better chance of survival and passing on those traits.A century and a half later, a tiny weaver bird is proving his theory right!

Baya Weaver: Bird that follows Darwinian theory

So, let’s talk about this little bird here – the Baya Weaver. It is a sparrow-sized, yellow-crowned bird, found throughout India and much of South and Southeast Asia. At first glance, it looks quite plain – nothing extraordinary. But wait until you see the artistry and functionality it produces!During breeding season, look up to a palm, and there’s something wild hanging from the branches: these nests that look like lanterns or upside-down bottles, or, as one Internet user put it, “nature’s most over-engineered apartment complex.”

The science behind a work of art

Now, the thing is: Scientists believe these nests are one of evolution’s cleverest answers to a problem that is as old as nests themselves – snakes looking for eggs.recently, researcher And bird lovers are discussing the weaver’s nest, especially its long entrance tunnel that points downwards. It really looks like something made specifically to drive snakes crazy. Instead of a standard nest, the male weaver weaves a hanging basket from grasses and leaves, hangs it from the thinnest branches, often above water, and tops it with this narrow, downward-facing entrance tube. Reaching the eggs means a hunter must grab a swinging, dangling object, crawl through a tight tunnel, then enter the nest chamber face down. For a snake, it’s like trying to rob a bank by hanging upside down on a rope bridge, that too during an earthquake.Actually, there is real data behind it. a major study “Proceedings of the Royal Society B” showed that birds with hanging nests and entrance tunnels lost fewer nests to predators, and their babies lived longer and developed for more days before leaving the nest. Simple math: The safer the home, the more baby birds make it.Scientists call it “convergent evolution” when unrelated bird families – such as weaverbirds and icterids – both build similar elaborate hanging nests. Different birds, same problem (predator), and evolution invents almost the same solution.The really surprising part? The Baya Weavers don’t “know” anything about snakes or blueprints. Evolution works without conscious thought. Birds that had just built intricate nests raised more chicks, and, over generations, their nesting instincts won out.As one Reddit user said: “This doesn’t make sense. This is the form that has survived.”Now Darwin would have loved that take!

Decoding the ‘talent’ of Baya Weaver

But it’s not just about beating up snakes. Baya weaver nests are also climate-control masterworks. Research Outside Malaysia says these nests actually help stabilize temperatures and air flow inside, creating a comfortable nursery for the chicks. Depending on the local weather, weavers vary their construction methods, as do contractors who work on building codes.then like this studies Show, there is also a demarcation of nest-building. Males do almost all the work: folding grass and leaves into elaborate structures with nothing but their beaks and feet. They display a half-built “helmet” nest to attract females. She observes. Sometimes she approves, and he keeps building, but if not? He abandons it and starts from scratch. Turns out, nest quality is a dealbreaker; A shabby nest is rejected, but a strong, secure nest helps the male get the chick.Good architecture, it seems, is an impressive feat in the bird world!Put it all together: design, climate adaptation, snake defense, even romance – everything is woven into one swinging composition.However, even the snakes have not given up yet – nature’s tug of war continues like this. Predator and prey keep pushing each other to develop trickier tricks. But if you’re looking for a living example of how natural selection shapes behavior, look no further than the Baya weaver’s nest.But the glow of Baya Weaver’s nests is fundamentally a reminder that genius solutions can come from trial, error, and the slow pace of survival—not from conscious thought or grand plans. Baya the weaver’s nest hangs there in the monsoon wind, understanding nothing of Darwin, evolution, or engineering, and yet, he beats all three at their own game.Now, that’s a real practical flexibility!

Source link

Is iShowspeed working on FIFA World Cup 2026 songs? Behind-the-scenes footage sparks major speculation among fans

Is iShowspeed working on FIFA World Cup 2026 songs? Behind-the-scenes footage sparks major speculation among fans
Behind-the-scenes footage has fueled speculation that iShowspeed could be working on a song for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The video, shot largely in Miami, shows the streamer surrounded by production crew, drones, flags and football-themed scenery. Fans linked the project to the upcoming tournament, especially after Speed ​​hinted at World Cup plans during the recent tour. The rumors have gained momentum since his 2022 World Cup song went viral, garnering over 208 million views on YouTube.

iShowSpeed ​​is probably preparing for one of the biggest moments of his career outside of streaming. Fresh footage circulating on social media has fueled speculation that the YouTube star is working on a new anthem related to 2026. FIFA World CupAnd fans are already paying close attention.Several clips shared online show Darren “iShowspeed” filming the music video extensively in Miami. The videos quickly spread on fan pages, giving rise to rumors that the internet personality was planning another football-inspired release before the tournament’s opening match in June.

IShowSpeed ​​World Cup 2026 song rumors grow after Miami filming

The latest excitement began when fan account IShowSpeedHQ posted images and video of what looks like a professional music video production.“BREAKING: Speed ​​was recently spotted filming a music video for his new World Cup song! 🤯🤯”The video features Speed ​​with camera operators, production crew and a large creative team around him. Fans also noticed an ID badge that reportedly read “iShowspeed LLC,” adding to the intrigue of the report. The scene was a football festival. National flags, team jerseys, colored powders and a large number of participants created the atmosphere of an international tournament. Speed ​​was featured in a variety of clips, with cameras and drones following his progress around stadium-like settings.The sheer scale of production immediately attracted attention. This was not footage from a casual content shoot, but a carefully planned project with significant resources behind it. Many followers have interpreted this as the streamer targeting a global audience during football’s biggest event.Speed, on his Caribbean tour earlier this month, had hinted that major plans were already in the pipeline regarding the World Cup. “We’ve got a lot to do, and we’ve got the World Cup coming up… You all know I’ll be back with another tour.”

iShowSpeed’s 2022 World Cup song is still a big milestone

There will be pressure on a new football anthem. Speed ​​dropped “World Cup” in November 2022, which became one of the most recognizable internet songs associated with the tournament in Qatar. The music video went viral, receiving over 208 million views youtube. The memorable opening and the line that became a catchphrase and went viral are still remembered by many fans today:“Let’s go play football.”The success of that release helped secure Speed’s place in football culture around the world. With the 2026 World Cup approaching and fresh footage being unveiled, fans are now waiting to see if another viral hit is on the way. If the rumors are true, Speed ​​could again find himself smack dab in the middle of one of the sport’s biggest global gatherings.

Source link

There has been a decline in early marriages and cases of violence between husband and wife have also reduced. india news

There has been a decline in early marriage, as well as cases of marital violence.

New Delhi: Even though it may have indicated a decline in early marriage, data released as part of the National Family Health Survey-6 (2023-24) showed that 20.1% of women in the 20-24 age group surveyed were married before the age of 18, which is the legal age of marriage for women. This marks a decline of more than three percentage points compared to NFHS-5 (2019-21), when it was 23.3%.For men – aged 25–29 – 15.9% had married before the legal age of marriage was 21.This represents a decline of 17.7% from the 2019-21 survey.On gender-based violence, the report said the percentage of married women aged 18-49 who experienced marital violence declined from 29.2% in 2019-21 to 22.3% in 2023-24. However, a much higher percentage of rural women (24.4%) experienced spousal violence compared to 17.5% urban women. In 2019-21, this figure was 24.2% for urban and 31.6% for rural.Meanwhile, the prevalence of early marriage, now at 20%, has seen a decline over the NFHS round – it was 26.8% in 2015-16 (NFHS-4) and 47.4% in 2005-06 (NFHS-3).The 2023-2024 survey showed a wide gap in terms of percentage of early marriage between women in rural and urban India – 23.3% for rural and 11.4% for urban. In the 2019-21 survey, it was 27% for rural India and 14.7% for urban India. The difference – rural and urban – was also apparent for men.While 19% of men in rural India were married before the age of 21, the figure was 9.7% in urban India.In 2019-21, it was 11.3% for men in urban areas and 21.1% in rural areas.The report also focused on the percentage of women aged 15–19 who were already mothers or pregnant at the time of the survey. This was about the same as the previous survey’s 6.7%. In terms of gender-based sexual violence, the data showed that women aged 19-29 who had experienced such violence by the age of 18 were 0.7% of those surveyed, and this was down from 1.2% in 2019-21.

Source link

Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ combined net worth in 2026: Inside the legendary tennis sisters’ rising fortunes international sports news

Serena Williams and Venus Williams' combined net worth in 2026: Inside the legendary tennis sisters' rising fortunes
Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ combined net worth in 2026: Inside the rising fortunes of the legendary tennis sisters (Image via Getty)

Serena Williams and Venus Williams have done more than just win tennis matches. The sisters became two of the biggest names in sports and amassed huge fortunes along the way. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Serena Williams’s net worth is estimated to be around $350 million in 2026, while Venus Williams’s net worth is estimated to be around $95 million, bringing the sisters’ net worth to around $445 million.Many fans still seek out the Williams sisters because their success did not stop even after they moved away from full-time tennis. Today, he continues to make money through business ventures, investments, endorsement deals, and real estate. While tennis helped them become global stars, most of their wealth now comes from what they do away from the court.

Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ net worth and career earnings

Social class serena williams venus williams Joint
Estimated Net Worth (2026) $350 million $95 million $445 million
Grand Slam singles titles 23 7 30
career award money $94.8 million $42.8 million $137.6 million
major approval Nike, Gatorade, Wilson Nike, Wilson, Tide Nike, Wilson and other major brands
main investment Serena Ventures, Real Estate Eleven, Real Estate, Design Business Business Enterprises and Properties

How Serena Williams and Venus Williams made their fortunes

Most athletes earn the bulk of their money from their sports. For Serena and Venus, that was only the beginning. Serena earned approximately $95 million in prize money during her tennis career, the most by any female tennis player. But after retirement he focused his attention on business. Through Serena Ventures, he has invested in dozens of companies and startups. Some of those businesses have grown rapidly, which has helped their wealth grow even more.Venus took a different path. With his tennis earnings, he launched his activewear brand Eleven. She also created a successful interior design company called V Star. Over the years, these businesses have become a significant part of their income.

Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ business ventures and investments

Serena’s biggest business success is Serena Ventures. The company invests in technology, health, fashion and consumer brands. Many of her investments have performed well, making her one of the most successful athlete-investors in the world.Meanwhile, Venus continues to develop Eleven while working on design projects through V Star. He has also invested in real estate and other business opportunities over the years.

Serena Williams and Venus Williams Lifestyle and Family Life

Away from tennis, the two sisters enjoy a quieter life than many people expect. Serena lives in Florida with her husband Alexis Ohanian and their children. Along with business projects, she spends most of her time with her family.Venus divides her time between business work, wellness projects and tennis-related activities. She remains active in fashion and continues to support causes that are important to her.

The legacy of Serena Williams and Venus Williams in tennis

Very few athletes have transformed their game the way Serena and Venus have. Serena won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, while Venus captured seven. Together, they won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and became one of the most successful sibling teams in sports history.Beyond the trophies, she inspired countless young players around the world and helped bring greater attention to women’s tennis.

How can Serena Williams and Venus Williams’ money grow after retirement?

Even though he is no longer playing a full tennis schedule, his net worth continues to grow. Serena Williams’ investments, endorsement deals and business ventures remain strong. Venus continues to earn through Eleven, design projects and brand partnerships.Because of these businesses and investments, the two sisters are expected to continue adding to their fortune in the years to come.

Source link

China is building a launch pad near a nuclear missile silo

China is building a launch pad near a nuclear missile silo

In the remote Chinese desert, a vast military complex is taking shape that some security scholars say is designed to ensure that a U.S. first strike on China’s nuclear arsenal could not credibly overwhelm Beijing’s ability to retaliate. China’s nuclear missiles can already reach any American city. Now, satellite images show that Beijing is building a vast web of launch pads, bunkers and communications nodes near the isolated nuclear silos that house the Chinese military’s longest-range missiles.The ability to defend its desert silos is key to China’s stated goal of building a minimal but credible nuclear deterrent – ​​a policy based on the ability to retaliate if attacked first. When People’s Liberation Army (PLA) can fire nuclear weapons from submarines and aircraft, silo fields in the northwestern Xinjiang region and Gansu province are the center of its nuclear forces.The cornerstone of China’s doctrine is its “no first use” policy. Xi warned US President Donald Trump this month that mishandling his countries’ disagreement over Taiwan, which China claims as territory, could take them to a “dangerous place”.octagon in the desertThe new desert infrastructure focuses on two octagon-shaped installations built over the past six years in eastern Xinjiang. Both are south-west of the Hami nuclear silo fields – one about 140 kilometers away, the other about 230 kilometers away. The images show that exercises involving large military vehicles took place around the North Octagon during this month and April.Satellite images show that the octagonal structures contain accommodation for personnel and large military vehicles. They are surrounded by armored bunkers and fortified weapons-storage areas, as well as airfields and railheads that connect the Octagon to the Hami silos.Five security scholars interviewed by Reuters agreed that the infrastructure could broadly support China’s nuclear program, as well as other military objectives. But he cautioned that key details remain unknown — including what weapons China might deploy on the launch pad and whether the octagonal structures have facilities to fit truck-mounted ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons.US officials and arms-control analysts say China is expanding and improving its nuclear weapons capabilities faster than any other country. The latest Pentagon report on China’s military modernization says the country’s weapons production has slowed, but it is on track to field 1,000 weapons by 2030. A December report estimated that China had loaded 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) into its three main silos.According to US officials, China is also strengthening its early-warning system. According to the Pentagon, the system can detect an incoming ICBM within 90 seconds of launch and alert the command center within three to four minutes – enough time for China to fire its own silo-based weapons before they are hit.Defense isolated ChinaSignificantly, each octagon lies at the core of a network of dirt roads and drains that extend into the desert. These pathways connect to concrete pads. Three security scholars said the pads could be used to deploy mobile air-defense missiles, electronic warfare nodes or, to name a few, larger ones, road-mobile ICBM launchers. Hans Christensen, director of the Federation of American Scientists Nuclear Information Project, said that although it is difficult to draw conclusions about how the various installations will be used, “it is hard to rule out anything”.The extent of the defensive network near its silos potentially isolates China from other major nuclear powers. Christensen said the United States and Russia – whose warheads and deployed weapons far exceed Beijing’s – rely on a combination of the sheer number of silos, their relative isolation and rigid construction to stop a first strike, rather than comprehensive missile defense. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Christensen said. “This is an extraordinary effort.”(This is a Reuters story)

Source link

SC denies fresh investigation in Vantara cattle transfer case. india news

Supreme Court refuses fresh investigation in Vantara cattle transfer case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has rejected a plea seeking a fresh probe into the international acquisition and transfer of animals at Vantara (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, saying the apex court-appointed SIT headed by retired SC judge J Chelameswar has already given a clean chit and found no violation of law.A bench of Justices PK Mishra and NV Anjaria said the terms of reference of the SIT were of wide dimension, covering every aspect of Vantara’s cases right from the beginning and nothing wrong was found.Dismissing the petition, the bench said, “On consideration, we are of the clear opinion that none of the directions prayed for can be granted.”The Court found no substance in allegations that inquiries, investigations or prosecutions in Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Peru, Malaysia and Venezuela had uncovered material that could have a bearing on the international acquisition and transfer of animals. The Supreme Court said that now all the issues raised have already been addressed by the SIT and there is no need for a fresh investigation.“The process adopted by the SIT was thorough. It held several meetings, conducted site inspections, gave opportunity to all concerned to submit information and documents, examined foreign donor zoos and institutions,” the court said.The Supreme Court said the SIT “inter alia called for and considered the responses of the CITES management authorities of UAE, Venezuela, Democratic Republic of Congo etc. and obtained information from all concerned, namely, CBI, ED, DRI, Customs Commissioner at Jamnagar, WCCB and the District Police.” “Notices were issued to the complainants, journalists and environmentalists who had published or made allegations, including those on whose reports the applicant/petitioner now relies and each person who appeared before the SIT was heard,” it said.In view of the SIT report, accepted by this Court by an order dated 15th September, 2025 and confirmed by an order dated 9th March, 2026, the respondent “cannot be investigated, interrogated, much less prosecuted in respect of the transfers investigated therein, no direction can be issued to any domestic authority in respect of the samples so transferred, and the matter cannot be referred to any body, global or otherwise.” But cannot be reopened,” it said.

Source link

Zendaya reacts to Peter Parker and MJ’s split in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’; Says ‘This is very heartbreaking’.

Zendaya reacts to Peter Parker and MJ's split in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'; Says 'It's so heartbreaking'

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ is gearing up for its release and lead actress Zendaya is already warning fans of heartbreak.The actor who played MJ in the superhero franchise, opposite Beau tom hollandPeter Parker has opened up about the character’s ‘painful’ separation following the events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. As the new film begins, Peter asks Doctor Strange for a spell that will make the world forget he is Spider-Man. As a result, the general public is forgetting them, with even their close friends like MJ and Ned Leeds having no memory of their time together as BFFs.According to new details revealed by Empire, MJ has moved on and is involved with a new romantic interest, played by Ahsoka actor Iman Esfandi, while Peter is forced to watch from the sidelines. Reflecting on the story, Zendaya admitted that she also found the situation emotionally difficult. “As someone who cares about the characters and cares about these movies, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, this is so heartbreaking.’ You just feel so bad because you want them to be happy, and you know that ultimately they’ll be happier together,” she said.With the romance pushed aside due to memory loss, Zendaya explained that it helped create an entirely new dynamic between the two characters.“It’s kind of easier, because I don’t have to pretend that I know this person. I don’t have to pretend to have all this history with them because it seems like they don’t.”Although MJ no longer remembers Peter Parker, she still knows Spider-Man. The trailer shows a scene at Ned’s house party, where he and MJ introduce Peter Parker to their Spidey board and hint that they were trying to identify Spider-Man and find his location.‘Brand New Day’, directed by Destin Daniel Creightonand starring Jon Bernthal, Kevin Feige, Destin Daniel Cretton, Amy Pascha, is due in theaters July 29.

Source link

IPL 2026: Kumar Sangakkara drops truth bomb about Sam Curran’s injury after RR’s dismissal

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has questioned Sam Curran’s absence from IPL 2026 after the England all-rounder returned to action for Surrey in the Vitality Blast despite the franchise being informed that he suffered a season-ending injury.

I will talk later Rajasthan Royals defeat in Qualifier 2Sangakkara said it was disappointing to see Curran return to action in England after the franchise was informed that the all-rounder would miss the entire season due to injury.

Sangakkara told reporters, “We were told Sam Curran had a season-ending injury, but I think I saw him play two or three games for Surrey. It was disappointing because we would have loved to have had him with us.”

Curran was signed by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 2.40 crore but withdrew before the start of the season due to a back injury. The franchise then brought in Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as his replacement.

Sangakkara said that when the Royals were informed about the injury they accepted the situation and praised the team for the way they responded despite losing a player of Curran’s calibre.

“Having brought in Dasun Shanaka as a replacement after being initially informed, I think the team and everyone involved should be extremely proud of their achievement,” he said.

The former Sri Lanka captain also supported the BCCI’s stance on player withdrawal and injuries and said that clear rules were necessary to protect the interests of franchises.

“There is always a need for a proper, strict policy on this and the BCCI has a strict policy on this. Injuries are part of the game, and if it is a serious, season-ending injury, then of course we understand,” Sangakkara said.

Curran’s return comes after a groin problem that troubled him during England’s T20 World Cup campaign. said after taking out IPLThe 27-year-old had said that scans revealed there was enough damage to require an extended period of rehabilitation.

Curran told the BBC at the time, “It’s an injury I’ve been struggling with a bit. It’s gradually got partially worse. I went for some scans, and it showed fair damage, so I had to make a tough decision. It was bothering me quite a bit.”

The England all-rounder also admitted that missing the IPL was a big blow.

“It was very disappointing to miss the IPL, and now I feel I have a rehab block to try to get stronger and fit whenever I feel like it,” he said.

However, Curran’s return to Surrey before the IPL season ended has prompted renewed discussion about player availability and injury replacements.

Sangakkara pointed to the commitment shown by many members of the Rajasthan Royals team, including players who remained with the team despite limited opportunities.

“We have had a lot of injuries ourselves. We also have players like Adam Milne, Shimron Hetmyer, Luan-Dre Pretorius and Kwena Mafaka who are here despite not getting much game time. They have worked hard, practised, watered for the team and worked as hard as anyone to support the team on this journey,” he said.

Sangakkara avoided making any direct allegations and said that the existing rules of BCCI should remain in force.

He said, “It’s really up to the individual player to decide whether they want to come or not, but I think the BCCI’s policy is very strict now, and it should stay that way. It ensures that contractual obligations are met fairly and realistically, and I think every IPL side will benefit from that.”

ipl 2026 | ipl schedule | ipl points table | ipl player stats | purple cap | orange cap | ipl video | cricket news | live score

– ends

published by:

-Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

May 30, 2026 04:01 IST

Source link

‘No dignity’: Matt Walsh lashes out at Erica Kirk’s boyfriend rumors while Blake Wynn breaks silence

Matt Walsh lashes out at Erica Kirke’s boyfriend rumors while Blake Wynn breaks silence (Image via Getty)

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh hit back at a viral claim on social media about Erica Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA’s late founder Charlie Kirk. The controversy began when an X account called Project Constitution alleged that Erica Kirk was romantically involved with Blake Wynn and was seen with him at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The post immediately gained attention online. It claimed that witnesses saw Erica Kirk and Blake Wynn showing affection in a hotel bar on May 14. The account also suggests that the relationship may have begun before Charlie Kirk’s death.However, both Erica Kirk and Blake Wynn publicly denied the allegations. Matt Walsh also intervened, calling the claims false and accusing the account of targeting Kirk for months. His response added another layer to an online controversy that has continued to garner attention on social media platforms.

Matt Walsh defends Erica Kirk as she and Blake Wynn deny going viral dating allegations

According to The Daily Beast, the viral post came from Project Constitution, an X account allegedly run by conspiracy theorist Colin Scott Campbell. The post claimed that Erica Kirk had “moved on” and was seen with Blake Wynn, the nephew of casino tycoon Steve Wynn.The account alleged that an eyewitness saw the pair together at the Beverly Hills Hotel on May 14 and claimed that they were behaving like a couple. It also called into question Erica Kirk’s public image and suggested that she was pretending to grieve while moving on in private.Matt Walsh sharply criticized those claims. In a post on X, he wrote:“This ridiculous idiot has been harassing Erica for months now by telling one nasty scandalous lie after another. He deserves to be sued out of anonymity, but the problem is that he is almost certainly already broke, and has no dignity or moral character to speak of, so he has nothing to lose by continuing this insane campaign.”Walsh has defended Erica Kirk before. Last month, he also spoke out against people who mocked him online after he became emotional following the White House correspondents’ dinner shooting incident.Shortly after the rumor broke, Erica Kirk responded directly to X and denied every part of the story.“Every single word here is a lie. Charlie’s love will be with me for the rest of my life. Only the Lord can fill that most painful void.”She told that on May 14, she was celebrating her son’s second birthday at her home in Arizona. Erica Kirk also noted that she shared a birthday tribute to her son on Instagram that day.She said Blake Wynn was a close friend of her late husband and had continued to support his family. According to his statement, Wynn is also preparing to get engaged to his longtime girlfriend.Blake Wynn later posted his response, writing:“I hate to be the bearer of bad news to bots and X users who spend their days making things up under the guise of journalism, but I’m not dating Erica Kirk.”At present, no evidence has been presented to support the allegations and both people named in the rumor have publicly rejected the claims.

Source link

66% of births in 2024 were preterm; Birth gap for majority now 36 months india news

66% of births in 2024 were preterm; Birth gap for majority now 36 months

New Delhi: Nearly two-thirds of all live births in India – 66.4% – were first-borns, while births to the fourth child and beyond remained at barely 3.5%, the 2024 Sample Registration System statistical report showed. On birth spacing, which is an important factor for maternal health and child development, the data shows that 53.5% of second or subsequent births occurred 36 months or later after the previous birth.According to 2024 data, about 23% of births were second-order births, a term used to refer to a second child, and 7.3% were third-order births.In terms of urban and rural trends, the data shows that 65.4% of live births were first-order births in rural India and the percentage was 69% for urban areas. Among larger states and union territories, Telangana has the highest percentage of first-order births at 82.7%, while Kerala has the lowest at 47.9%. Interestingly, Kerala had the highest percentage of second order and third order births at 34.9% and 13.3%.While Kerala had the highest percentage of second-order and third-order births, Telangana had the lowest at 13.4% and 2.9% respectively, the 2024 Sample Registration System statistical report showed.Madhya Pradesh has the highest percentage of fourth or higher order births at 6.5%, while Andhra Pradesh ranks lowest at 0.5%.Data on birth order and the interval between consecutive live births have been collected under the Sample Registration System (SRS) since 1990.Birth order – the chronological order of child births within a family – and birth intervals are key indicators of spacing between children and fertility levels.

Kerala is at second place in child birth rate, Tagana is at the bottom.

The trend in terms of birth order in 2024 is in line with previous years.In 2023, first-order births were 66%, and fourth or higher order births were 3.6%.In 2022, 64% of live births were first-order births and fourth or higher-order births were 4.7%.As far as spacing of births is concerned, 53.5% of second and higher order births occurred 36 months or more after the previous live birth and only 1.4% of live births occurred within 10–12 months of the previous live birth. According to the data, 19.3% of births occurred within 12–24 months and 25.8% occurred within 24–36 months of the previous live births. The percentage distribution varies considerably across states and union territories. For example, the percentage of second and higher order live births occurring 36 months or more after the last live birth ranged from 32.8% in Andhra Pradesh to 79% in Assam.Previous research drawn from government data such as the National Family Health Survey has repeatedly underlined the urgent need for better birth spacing methods in family planning. He highlighted that pregnancies less than a year apart increase the risk of diarrhoea, respiratory infections and stunting among children under five in India.The report also points to a strong relationship between women’s education and fertility rates. While India’s total fertility rate is 1.9, which remains below the replacement level of 2.1 in 2024, illiterate women recorded a much higher fertility rate of 3.2 compared to 1.8 among literate women.

Source link