New Delhi: At a press conference in the Netherlands, Sibi George, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, strongly rejected concerns about minority rights and press freedom in India. Responding to the question, George defended India’s democratic and social structure, saying that the country’s strength lies in its diversity, religious co-existence and democratic freedom.Addressing foreign journalists and observers in The Hague, George said the concerns raised on these issues stemmed from a “lack of understanding” about India’s history, institutions and social fabric.“India is a country of 1.4 billion people, the most populous country in the world. A country with a civilization more than 5,000 years old. It is a diverse country,” George said, describing India as a society where many religions, cultures, languages ​​and communities co-exist peacefully.Describing India as a “vibrant democracy”, the senior diplomat said freedom of expression and freedom of the press are deeply embedded in the country’s democratic culture.“You know how many of these there are in India? Smartphones? 900 million of them. And these are very important weapons,” he said, referring to freedom of public participation and communication in India.He said, “Everyone in the country has freedom of expression, freedom of the press. And that makes our democracy a very noisy democracy. And we are proud of that.”George highlighted India’s recent elections as an example of democratic participation and said more than 90 percent of voters voted. “This is the beauty of India. It is a vibrant democracy,” he said.The External Affairs Ministry official also countered criticism regarding minorities in India and argued that religious and linguistic communities continue to flourish in the country.He said, “When we became independent, the minority population in India was 11%. Now it is more than 20. Name a country where the minority population has increased. You will not find this anywhere else but India.”Pointing to India’s long history of hosting and protecting diverse religions, George said Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism all originated and flourished in India. He also noted the historical presence of Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities in the country.He said, “Judaism was in India for more than 2,500 years, co-existing continuously. India is one of the few countries where the Jewish population never faced persecution.”On Christianity, George said that “Christianity came to India soon after the resurrection of Jesus Christ” and that the religion “came to India long before it came to Europe”.Speaking about Islam, he said, “Islam came to India during the time of Prophet Muhammad and flourished in India.”He repeatedly described India’s multicultural coexistence as “the beauty of India”, arguing that persecuted communities from different parts of the world have historically found refuge in the country.George also highlighted the linguistic diversity of India and said that all the major languages ​​are continuing to flourish. “There are 22 official languages. If you take an Indian currency, there are 22 languages ​​written on it,” he said.Linking India’s democratic structure to its economic rise, the diplomat said the country has achieved sustained development without compromising democratic principles.“Today we are the largest, fastest growing major economy in the world. An increase of 8% in the last 25 years. And how did we achieve it? Without compromising our democratic principles,” he said.George said, “We did not use violence to eliminate poverty. We adopted the democratic process to eliminate poverty.”Concluding his remarks, George invited critics and foreign observers to visit India and experience first-hand its diversity and democratic environment.He said, “So I would invite you to come to India and see for yourself how India lives, how prosperous its economy is, what a vibrant democracy it is.”

‘My father will be king’: The Prince George’s School moment that people still consider adorable. Image Credit: Royal Family

Throughout Prince George’s lifetime, there have been many stories featuring the young prince, but it seems that many of them do not relate to his personality. However, a harmless story from the prince’s youth resurfaced and immediately caught the interest of royal enthusiasts. According to royal author Katie Nicholl, Prince George told a classmate while they were playing on the playground, “My dad is going to be king, so be careful,” as reported. new zealand herald. The incident is believed to have occurred while Prince George was attending Thomas’s Battersea School in south London, prior to his education at Eton College.This quote appears in Nicholl’s book The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown. Although the quote went viral on social media platforms, it appears that many royal enthusiasts see it as an insight into the future king’s unusual upbringing rather than any kind of arrogance. When the reported incident occurred, Prince George was quite young and trying to understand his role in the royal hierarchy.William and Kate balance their duties and normal lifeRoyal observers have consistently commented that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge strive to raise their children normally despite being under constant media scrutiny. As journalist Katie Nicholl writes in her book, the Prince and Princess of Wales ensure that George is not burdened with pressure related to his final royal responsibilities. However, they also slowly begin to introduce George to the meaning of the Crown and its relevance to him.Nicole said that they are raising their children with a sense of who they are and what their role is. This approach has defined William and Kate’s parenting style for many years. Indeed, William and Kate can regularly be seen taking their children to school, participating in various sports and outdoor activities.According to another royal commentator, Jenny Bond, William particularly strives to give his children the opportunity to form open emotional relationships with other people, just like children from normal families, as reported Sun.Children often revise their ideas about identityIt is considered normal for children to display a sense of reassurance or express emotional reactions during conflicts at school, especially as they begin to recognize family identity and their roles in society.according to American Academy of PediatricsChildren from early school age to pre-teen years are developing their self-awareness and trying to understand how they relate to the world around them.Psychologists emphasize that children may refer to family roles and achievements during disputes because they do not yet know how to control emotions and communicate effectively. Children often test their boundaries and identity by interacting socially with other children. However, he points out that such situations are usually a part of emotional development rather than a behavioral problem.To most people, Prince George’s statements sounded not like a royal proclamation, but like a child’s typical reaction to a playground brawl.

Prince George’s cheeky comeback during a school debate has royal fans smiling.

Reasons why this story became popular among many peopleOne reason for this was how much it humanized a young prince who usually appeared alone at ceremonies. Instead of looking at royal titles and formalities, the story made Prince George look like any other child his age. The second element was the struggle he would have gone through and growing up with the knowledge that great responsibility awaited him.For the royals in their childhood, it was less a question of status but of honesty. A young boy finds himself amid the ongoing discussion surrounding the royal family, with parents doing their best to prepare him for an exceptionally different future.

While Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni dominate the popularity charts, former India batsman Ambati Rayudu believes that the discussion about the greatest IPL player of all time belongs to someone else. After Kolkata Knight Riders’ big win over Gujarat Titans, Rayudu overtook the league’s most famous icons to crown Sunil Narine the undisputed number one.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Rayudu delivered a scathing verdict on the West Indian’s legacy, highlighting his unmatched value as a genuine two-way player.

“Best IPL An all-time player in my opinion,” Rayudu said, “a match-winner with the ball and with the bat. I don’t think there have been that many great players in the IPL, but this guy always stands out. That’s at the top of the list for me.”

Overcome Controversy to Achieve Greatness

Former India coach Sanjay Bangar strongly supported Rayudu’s claim and placed Narine firmly in the top five of all-time. Bangar praised the KKR star’s resilience and how he rebuilt his bowling after his action was questioned several times during his career.

“He had to overcome a lot of problems in terms of his action being questioned,” Bangar said. “But he found another way of bowling the ball while maintaining the ability to turn the ball both ways. This creates a huge doubt in the mind of the batsman. These qualities make him a legend.”

Historic 200th match keeps KKR alive

The praise came at just the right time, including from Narine Historic 200th IPL match for KKR, it is necessary to win at any cost.

Batting first, KKR scored a season’s best score of 247 runs for 2 wickets. Opener Finn Allen played a stormy innings of 93 runs in 35 balls, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi (82*) and Cameron Green (52*) ended the innings brilliantly by making an unbeaten 108-run partnership.

Captain of Gujarat Titans in reply Shubman Gill gave a brilliant counter attackKept his team in the competition by scoring 85 runs. However, it was Narine who broke the game open. The experienced spinner outwitted the dangerous Gill, and trapped him in an errant shot on his way to taking 2 for 29.

Despite half-centuries from Jos Buttler (57) and Sai Sudarshan (53*), GT finished at 218 for 4. The 29-run win kept KKR’s play-off hopes alive, proving that even after 200 matches, Sunil Narine is one of the ultimate match-winners in the IPL.

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British tourist Guy Evans (Image: GoFundMe)

A British man was left unable to walk after breaking his neck while on holiday in France and facing huge medical bills because he traveled without insurance.Guy Evans, 30, suffered the life-changing injury on April 19 while visiting his father’s holiday home in the Loire Valley with his brother Stan.What started as a simple attempt to remove broken tree branches from the garden soon turned into a nightmare when Guy fell about 10 feet over a stone wall after a branch broke beneath him.

Briton ‘destroyed’ vertebra in strange accident

The freelance copywriter was taken to hospital, where doctors revealed he had a broken C6 vertebra in his neck.Describing the terrifying experience from his hospital bed, Guy said he had “wiped out” one of the vertebrae near the top of his spine.“Very fortunately I haven’t had my spine severed, which obviously would have been more or less curtains for me,” he said.Doctors performed a six-hour emergency surgery the day after the accident, reconstructing the damaged vertebra using bone taken from his left hip. A second operation took place a week later.

No travel insurance means families face huge costs

While Guy has returned to the UK for treatment at King’s College Hospital in south London, his family is struggling to cover rising medical and repatriation expenses because he did not take out travel insurance before the trip.Guy admitted his mistake, saying, “I’m a stupid, stupid guy. You always think these things won’t happen to you.”His younger brother Robbie Evans launched a GoFundMe page to help pay the rising costs of getting Guy back to the UK and support his rehabilitation.

GoFundMe donations flood in

The fundraising impressed people online and soon passed the £102,000 mark.In an update shared on the fundraising page, Robbie said the family is “completely overwhelmed” by the support they have been receiving from strangers.He explained that a portion of the money has already been used to fund Guy’s medical transfer back to the UK, while the remaining funds will help with his long recovery process and future living arrangements if he is unable to regain full mobility.

still unable to walk

Although Guy has regained some movement in his arms and hands, he is still unable to walk and now faces months of intensive rehabilitation.According to him, the first 18 months after such an injury are considered crucial for recovery.Despite the ordeal, Guy says he feels lucky doctors were able to save his spinal cord from more devastating damage.

Bengaluru: India’s space regulator-cum-promoter Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) led a delegation of space-tech companies at the Space Meetings Veneto 2026 held in Venice, Italy, where several Indian companies announced partnerships with European companies.Organized by Advanced Business Events and supported by the Italian Trade Agency and Aggenzia Spaziale Italiana, the event brought together space industry companies, startups, policy makers and technology providers from several countries.The delegation included nine Indian companies, including Astrogate Labs, Astrobase Space Technologies, VyomIC, Suhora, Kepler Aerospace, Hyspace Technologies, Techme2Space, Jarbits Pvt Ltd and Dhruv Space.Among the agreements announced during the visit, Karnataka-based Astrobase Space Technologies signed an MoU with Italy’s Impulso Space to support customer access and explore launch opportunities through an integrated mission management and launch services network.Kepler Aerospace signed a framework agreement with Apogee Space to expand Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) infrastructure and strengthen satellite collaboration between India and Europe. The companies will also explore collaboration in CubeSat systems, payload technologies and mission operationsMeanwhile, VyomIC announced collaboration focused on navigation and flexible infrastructure technologies during the event. The delegation was led by PK Jain, Director (Directorate of Program Management and Authorization), IN-SPACe.“India’s participation reflects growing global confidence in the country’s space capabilities and private sector ecosystem. More importantly, this year’s engagements have translated into meaningful strategic partnerships between Indian and international space companies,” Jain said.According to IN-SPACe, the visit follows the visit of the Italian Aerospace Delegation to India in 2025 and is part of efforts to deepen commercial space cooperation between India and Italy under the 2025-2029 India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan announced during the G20 Summit in 2024.

A mysterious circular stone structure discovered in the grasslands of Maharashtra is attracting the attention of archaeologists and historians around the world. Hidden in the Bormani grasslands of Solapur district, this structure is now considered to be India’s largest circular labyrinth, with experts estimating that it may be over 2,000 years old. The discovery is important not only because of its sheer size, but it may also reveal information about ancient trade routes connecting India with the Roman world.The Satavahana dynasty ruled large parts of the Deccan region between about 200 BC and 200 AD. During this time, India maintained extensive trade relations with Rome and other Mediterranean powers. Earlier excavations in Maharashtra have already revealed artefacts from the Roman world, including a bronze mirror and a figurine associated with the Graeco-Roman sea god Poseidon.Researchers say the labyrinth appears to share striking similarities with patterns seen in ancient Greek and Roman designs. That description has sparked renewed discussion about the deep commercial and cultural ties that existed between the civilizations of India and the Mediterranean during the Satavahana period.

India’s largest circular labyrinth has been hidden for centuries

The labyrinth is identified to be approximately 50 feet in diameter and consists of 15 circular circuits made of carefully arranged stone blocks. Archaeologists say this makes it the largest circular labyrinth ever discovered in India. While a large square labyrinth had previously been recorded in Tamil Nadu, no circular structure of this scale had been recorded before this discovery in Maharashtra.The site was identified in the Bormani grasslands of Solapur district, which is better known for wildlife conservation than archaeology. The labyrinth’s intricate design immediately stood out due to its unusual circular pattern and the precision of its stone layout. Researchers also found layers of soil between the stone rings, suggesting that the structure has remained largely untouched for hundreds, possibly thousands of years.

Ancient stone structure that may link India to the Roman world

Archaeologist Sachin Patil of Deccan College, Pune, believes that the labyrinth may have played an important role in guiding ancient traders traveling through western India. According to researchers, Roman traders were highly active in the Deccan region during the early century AD, and exchanged gold, wine, glass vessels and decorative objects in exchange for Indian spices, silk, beads and indigo dye.The areas around Kolhapur, Karad, Ter, Sangli, Satara and Solapur were reportedly part of a thriving inland trade network connected to India’s western ports. Historians have often described this route as an important commercial corridor that connected the Indian subcontinent to the Roman Empire through maritime trade in the Indian Ocean.The labyrinth resembles the design seen on ancient Cretan coins from the Roman period. International labyrinth expert Jeff Saward has reportedly described the Borramani structure as one of the most important labyrinth discoveries in India. He explained that the design relates to the classical labyrinth tradition but also includes features that appear distinctly Indian.

How can the ancient labyrinth be related to the Chakravyuh of Mahabharata?

This structure is also being linked to the concept of “Chakravyuh” described in the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. In the Mahabharata, Chakravyuha refers to a complex circular military structure built to trap enemies within revolving defensive layers.Researchers say that the Borramani labyrinth shares visual similarities with these circular structures. In many Indian traditions, maze-like designs are associated with spirituality, meditation, fertility, and cosmic symbolism. Local communities reportedly refer to such patterns by names such as “code”, “manchakra” and “yamadwar”.

Discovery that revealed 2,000-year-old labyrinth

Interestingly, the ancient structure was not initially discovered by archaeologists. Members of a local conservation group reportedly noticed the unusual stone patterns while conducting wildlife surveys in the Boramani grasslands. The region is known for species such as the Great Indian Bustard and the Indian wolf.Researchers later confirmed that the labyrinth was likely ancient and historically significant. Archaeologists say the careful arrangement of the stones and the weathered conditions of the site strongly indicate that it dates back to the Satavahana era, which was known for intense trade activity and cultural exchange.

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and questioned why Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was not removed from the post.In a post on Twitter, Rahul compared the handling of the 2024 and 2026 NEET paper leak cases and asked PM Modi to answer the questions raised by the country.The Congress leader said, “NEET 2024: The paper was leaked. The exam was not cancelled. The minister did not resign. The CBI started the investigation. A committee was formed. NEET 2026: The paper was leaked. The exam was cancelled. The minister still did not resign. The CBI is investigating again. Another committee will be formed.”“Modi ji, the nation has some questions for you – answer them! Why are papers being leaked again and again? Why are you silent on the repeated ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’? Why haven’t you sacked the education minister who has repeatedly failed?” He added.The National Testing Agency on Tuesday canceled NEET-UG 2026, held on May 3, after investigators found evidence that many of the same questions in the exam paper were circulated before the test.Later the government handed over the case Central Bureau of InvestigationThe examination will now be conducted again on June 21.The cancellation has affected around 23 lakh candidates and marks the first time that the entire NEET-UG exam has been canceled for the first time since NTA conducted the exam in 2019. In 2024, the exam was partially re-conducted for 1,563 students after discrepancies in marks.Meanwhile, the CBI on Saturday arrested another alleged mastermind in the case. The accused has been identified as Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a senior Botany teacher from Pune, Maharashtra.According to the agency, Mandhare was arrested in Delhi after interrogation. Investigators alleged that she was the source of leaked biology questions in the medical entrance examination.The CBI said Mandhare was associated with the NEET-UG 2026 examination process and was appointed as an expert by the NTA, giving him access to the question papers of Botany and Zoology.Rahul Gandhi had also questioned the Center on Friday regarding the increasing number of suicides related to the NEET paper leak controversy. Referring to the death of a 21-year-old student who allegedly committed suicide after exams were canceled in Uttar Pradesh, he said, “These youth did not lose in exams; they were killed by a corrupt system. This is not suicide – this is murder by the system.”

health update: From stagnant to stagnant, stress, poor quality and pricing are now taking a toll on the health of the youth. While earlier obesity was more common among people due to high blood pressure and kidney disease, now this risk is increasing rapidly even among young people. A very valuable picture has come to light during the investigation of the hostel of the Guda Disease Department located in the capital Nashik.

Investigation revealed that about 80 percent of the patients suffering from kidney disease are suffering from high blood pressure. Out of approximately six thousand people on the beach during this month, 4800 people were found to have high blood pressure. Experts say the container is not just a hospital, but a sign of a growing child health crisis.

Lent cycle killer has paid off with high blood pressure

The philosopher described high blood pressure as a “silent killer”. Its most dangerous thing is that its symptoms are not visible in the beginning. Most people understood for years that their blood pressure was constantly increasing. By the time the disease is detected, many serious organs of the body get affected.

According to experts, high BP gradually damages the arteries of the body. It has a profound effect on the nerves that carry blood to the heart, brain and kidneys. Continuously increased blood pressure causes blood deficiency in the kidneys, which reduces the blood pressure.

And the hectic youth keeps the youth sick and stressed.

Health expert says that modern chemistry has affected the mental and physical education of the youth. Constant work pressure, stress anxiety, excessive use of mobile and screens, lack of sleep and rapid stomach growth are gradually creating serious anxiety inside the body.

According to experts, today high BP and kidney related issues are increasingly appearing among the youth aged between 25 to 40 years. There are variations in the body, which increases stress. If stress continues for a long time, it has a direct impact on the kidneys and heart.

How bad are the kidneys? understand the whole relationship

Kidney is a very important organ of the body, which purifies the blood, removes excess water and toxins. When the blood pressure remains high, the pressure on the blood vessels of the kidneys increases.

Slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly-slowly. If the condition becomes serious, the patient may need diarrhea or even kidney transplant.

According to experts, high BP and kidney disease are deeply related to each other. Prevents hypertension and worsens hypertension and increases blood pressure. This is why it is considered an extremely dangerous cycle.

Danger of bad habits increasing among youth

Religious leaders say that today’s youth are adopting many such attitudes which are gradually harming the body. These include:

• Heavy salt and junk food intake
• staying up late at night
• lack of physical disease
• being under constant stress
• smoking and alcohol habits
• self-sufficient water structure
• Consumption of chocolate without doctor’s advice

These uses directly affect blood vessels and kidney disease.

Do not finalize these models

Although the symptoms of high BP are not obvious in the early stages, there are some signs that should not be missed:

• constant
• Dizziness
• fatigue and weakness
• Satvik blossom
• bust swelling
• changes in urination
• chest heaviness
• finally appear

The expert says that if any of these symptoms are felt continuously then a blood test should be done immediately.

Expert advice: Regular checkups are extremely important

The community expert has appealed to the people to buy their blood stock regularly. Especially people who have a family history of high blood pressure or kidney disease need to be extra careful.

Philosophers say that if high BP is not controlled at the initial level, it can cause serious damage to the kidneys. For this, timely medicine, diet and stress control are very important.

How to keep kidney and heart healthy?

The expert advised healthy ethics. Some important things have been mentioned for this:

• Exercise at least 30 minutes every day
• Reduce the intake of salt and fried foods
• drink enough water
• abstinence from smoking and alcohol
• Do yoga and therapy to reduce stress
• get enough sleep
• regular health checkup

Believers believe that small precautions can avoid big challenges in the future.

Style ideology continues to grow rapidly in India

Health experts say that lifestyle diseases are increasing rapidly in India. Cold, high BP, obesity and kidney disease are no longer limited to the elderly only. Due to urbanization and archaeologists, the youth are also falling prey to these challenges.

According to the expert, if awareness is not created among the people in time, then kidney disease and high BP among the youth can become a big health crisis for the country.

High blood pressure is not just a common health problem but becomes a serious condition affecting many vital organs of the body. Chronic stress, privation and scholarship are increasingly increasing the risk of kidney disease, especially among youth. Experts believe that it is possible to prevent this “silent killer” by timely awareness, regular checkups and adopting healthy suggestions. Body accessories may be listed at a higher price in the future.

Targeting commercial shipping, disrupting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz unacceptable: India’s Permanent Representative to the UN

New Delhi: India has raised concerns at the UN over attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, with its Permanent Representative to the UN Parvataneni Harish terming the targeting of civilian ships and crew members as “unacceptable” amid rising tensions in West Asia.Speaking at a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESCO) on Friday, Harish warned that attacks on commercial shipping threaten global energy and supply chains, days after an attack on an India-flagged ship off the coast of Oman. The meeting focused on “Security of energy and supply flows: Supporting global development through international cooperation”.In a post on X on Sunday, Harish said he had shared India’s perspective on the recent energy and fertilizer crisis arising out of conflict in West Asia.“A combination of short-term and structural measures, along with international cooperation, is necessary to tackle the crisis,” he said.“Reiterating that targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crews and hindering freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is unacceptable. International law must be fully respected in this regard,” he said.The comments come after an India-flagged commercial ship coming from Somalia was attacked near Oman on May 13, amid growing instability in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s energy supply passes.Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members on board. It was not immediately known who carried out the attack.The Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on Thursday, calling it “unacceptable” and expressed concern over repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the region.“The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable and we condemn the fact that commercial shipping and civilian seafarers are being targeted,” an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said in a statement.“All Indian crew on board the ship are safe and we thank the Omani authorities for their rescue,” the statement said.At least two other Indian-flagged ships have come under attack since the conflict erupted in West Asia following the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28 and subsequent retaliatory strikes, according to officials.The latest developments have raised concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade and energy corridor that has seen severe disruptions since the conflict escalated.