Why are these evergreen shrubs almost always used in neat-looking front beds? Image credit – Wikimedia

While a backyard flower border serves a completely different purpose than a front entry bed, it should look neat from the street, be framed next to the front door, and be balanced even without flowering plants. This is why evergreen shrubs are important components of foundation plantings.Flower beds provide color for only one season, while evergreens add structures that allow garden beds to remain useful year-round. As various gardening experts have noted, evergreen shrubs serve as the “framework” of the garden as they provide shape and interest year-round.Landscapers often use evergreen shrubs to keep front garden plants from looking abandoned when all the flowers are gone for the season. The key here is to choose low-maintenance shrubs that complement the home and don’t expand their space.Importance of evergreen shrubs front entry bedThe front yard is constantly visited by passersby who view it daily, whether walking on the sidewalk or from a car, porch, or window. Improper planting will make the entire façade look incomplete after the flowers fade.Evergreen shrubs solve this problem because they will retain their form even in winter or during dormant periods. Penn State Extension advises that shrubs should add more than just flowers for more than one season.In particular, there is no better place to place them densely than around the entryway. Shrub beds along sidewalks or patios can become crowded if plants grow too tall or irregularly. Therefore, it is always advisable to choose dense or medium-sized evergreen shrubs for most entrances.Compact boxwood maintains the structure of the bedsThe use of boxwood for front entry doors is quite common due to its naturally neat shape. Dwarf types will be perfect for lining walkways and stairs. Homeowners often replant boxwood to maintain a formal effect without confusion. For those looking for low-maintenance options, boxwood lookalikes, like Japanese holly, are available. Various gardeners suggest compact evergreen shrubs for front entrance design all year round.

The easiest way to keep your entry garden looking neat and clean all year round. Image credit – Wikimedia

Colorful euonymus require no flowersCompact euonymus shrubs have become popular because of their color retention without any flowers. Euonymus are shrub species with golden or white edges and green leaves that add color to otherwise dull entry spaces.Flowers are present only during certain seasons. Euonymus shrubs, on the other hand, remain colorful most of the year. Various guides mention that euonymus shrubs can be easily shaped by pruning.These plants work well near porches, mailboxes and front sidewalks where homeowners want definition in their yards without creating large hedges.Inkberry Holly for Country YardsInkberry holly has recently grown in popularity in the United States because it forms an evergreen base but helps create a landscape that includes more natives.Unlike many traditional hollies, the Inkberry variety has less sharp leaves and a naturally round shape. according to University of Maryland ExtensionNative evergreen shrubs such as inkberry can be used in sustainable landscapes.The Inkberry variety of shrub can handle wet soils more efficiently than most other evergreen shrubs.Lavender adds softness and speedLavender is officially a small evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub in many warm USDA zones. One advantage it has is the softness and mobility that other dense bushes lack.This is how lavender makes a difference. A front garden created using only clipped bushes can look stiff and formal. Adding lavender will help its silvery foliage and seasonal blooms, along with its texture, last for many months.According to many gardening guidelines, mixing evergreen foliage with seasonal foliage creates layers rather than a rigid design.Osmanthus brings fragrance and densityCompact osmanthus shrubs are excellent for warmer regions of the US. These shrubs have dense evergreen leaves and fragrant flowers that appear almost cryptically.They are similar to classic hedging shrubs in their form but are easier to maintain and prune. Osmanthus is often used near entryways because its aroma is noticeable when someone passes by.The most common mistake made by homeownersThe most common problem with front garden beds is improper spacing between plants. When you buy bushes from a nursery they may look small but soon, they spread out quite a bit.According to various studies, plants grow by their maturity rather than the size of their pot. Plants crowded into a small space will eventually become too many leaves that will block windows and spill over paths. Proper technique should be to plant less bushes with repetition. This method results in a more polished and professional garden.Why is evergreen architecture always a winning concept?Even if a great entry garden includes flowers, they will die at some point. And this is why evergreen structure never fails.This provides form, consistency and stability to the design throughout the season. Even though flowers can be an attractive focal point for many weeks, it is the evergreen structure that makes your garden complete.

All of Earth’s deepest ocean trenches are located in the Pacific Ocean, the result of intense tectonic plate subduction. Image Credit: Google Gemini

As one considers the deepest parts of our planet, it appears that such depths should be randomly distributed around the Earth’s surface, with perhaps some of the deepest trenches located along the African coast, others near the coasts of Europe, and others along the American coast. Still it is not so.If you want to study the top five deepest regions on Earth, there is no point consulting just any world map. Focusing on just one ocean is enough. In fact, all of Earth’s deepest craters can be found in the Pacific Ocean, turning this vast body of water into a terrifying neighborhood of geological wounds. Such features are not just scratches on the sea floor. Rather, they are the product of a never-ending process of self-transformation occurring within the Earth.Tectonic Wonders of the PacificTo understand why all the deepest points belong to the Pacific Ocean, we must take a closer look at the processes occurring within the Earth. The planet’s outer layer, known as the Earth’s crust, is made up of large puzzle pieces or tectonic plates. These plates are involved in a fierce battle for supremacy in the Pacific region.When an oceanic plate collides with a lighter continental plate, it does not collide with it at all. It dives rapidly beneath it and falls straight into the Earth’s warm mantle. This process is known as subduction, and the exact point where the plate bends and dives gives rise to an oceanic trench.Because these intense collision zones surround the Pacific Basin, it has become the ultimate factory for the deep ocean depths. According to a historical overview by Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionThese trenches represent the most powerful plate interactions on Earth. They are surface manifestations of a planet swallowing its own crust.The following is a comparison of the five deepest trenches in the world, based on verified measurements of their depth.1. the Mariana TrenchLeading this group is the Mariana Trench, which can be found in the western Pacific Ocean. It is the heavyweight champion when it comes to deep sea trenches. At its deepest point, Challenger Deep, the height of the bottom reaches 11,034 meters. Even if we turned the majestic Mount Everest on its head and dropped it into this abyss, its summit would still be filled with thousands of meters of water.2. Tonga TrenchThe Tonga Trench, located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, is considered the second deepest trench on Earth, with a depth of more than 10,800 meters. The Tonga Trench is characterized by its rate of descent, which is very rapid. The reason for this is the high speed of collision between the tectonic plates here.

These trenches, such as the Mariana and Tonga, form where oceanic plates dive beneath continental plates, creating geological wounds. Image Credit: Google Gemini

3. philippine trenchAt a staggering depth of over 10,500 metres, the Philippine Trench is another deep trench found in the western Pacific Ocean, characterized by steep edges created by a complex system of intersecting tectonic plates. The geometry involved is extremely sharp, creating deep cuts in the ocean crust.4. Kuril-Kamchatka TrenchThis huge trench is included in the list of trenches whose depth exceeds 10,500 meters, making it almost equal to the Philippine Trench. Located in the northwestern region of the Pacific Ocean, the trench extends to the Kuril Islands and includes continuous subduction zones.5. Kermadec TrenchCompleting the list at number five is the Kermadec Trench, which plunges more than 10,000 meters deep into the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Working in conjunction with the Tonga Trench System, the Kermadec becomes the last buttress point for this southern chain of extreme underwater geology, showing us that when it comes to the Pacific’s claim on underwater geology, that claim cannot be disputed.How do these findings reshape our geographical thinking and what do they mean scientifically?This comprehensive study of the top five places reshapes our understanding of the meaning of geography. Extreme underwater environments are not a unique phenomenon in the world.But then, determining the direction of these alien scenarios is no easy task. From extensive research conducted by National Centers for Environmental Information at NOAAThis makes it clear that obtaining accurate results under extensive water depths is no easy task. Sound waves are sent out from the ocean floor through ships, but factors such as water pressure can cause inaccurate readings.Therefore, it should not be surprising that modern oceanographers do not use accurate readings for such second-place trenches.However, what is known about these trenches is that they are dynamic and are not simply dead zones. These trenches hold within them clues to how Earth sustains itself, recycles itself, and even how life might persist on other frozen moons. The answer lies in the depths, but until then it seems that all answers are safely locked away in the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

New Delhi: Former Chief Minister of Bengal Mamata Banerjee She faced heavy sloganeering in the Calcutta High Court on Thursday when she appeared as a lawyer in a public interest litigation (PIL) related to alleged post-poll violence following the recently concluded assembly elections in the state.Wearing the traditional black advocate jacket and white collar-band over her signature white saree with blue border, Banerjee appeared before a division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen to argue the case.The PIL was filed by Sirsanya Banerjee, son of a high court lawyer and senior advocate and four-time advocate Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee. Sirsanya Banerjee recently contested the assembly elections from Uttarpara in Hooghly district on a Trinamool Congress ticket, but she lost to BJP candidate and former NSG commandant Dipanjan Chakraborty by over 10,000 votes.As Banerjee walked through the court complex dressed in lawyers’ attire, slogans were raised against her amid heightened political tension following the assembly election results in which the Trinamool Congress lost power. Bharatiya Janata Party.During the hearing, Banerjee reportedly presented photographs before the bench and alleged that “even children and women are not spared”. He also submitted a list of ten people who were allegedly killed in the post-poll violence.He said before the court, “My humble request is that please protect the people of Bengal. This is not a bulldozer state.”He further alleged that houses and offices were being occupied and looted in front of the police and claimed that the authorities had failed to intervene. “Everything is being done in the presence of police,” he said. He said people are entitled to have their voices heard, even if you are demolishing an unauthorized structure.Banerjee urged law enforcement agencies to step up action against those involved in the violence, arguing, “Once something happens, they won’t investigate? There is no police.”Reacting to her court appearance, the Trinamool Congress, in a post on Twitter, said Banerjee had “once again shown what really sets her apart”.“She never abandons the people of Bengal in their time of need. She never stops fighting for truth, justice and constitutional values. And time and again, she rises above the politics of hate with unparalleled compassion, courage and conviction,” the party said.The party further said, “Whether confronting the injustice of SIR or standing strong against the uncontrolled conduct of the BJP, she continues to prove that there is no leader like her in the country today.”Earlier this year, Banerjee had also appeared in the Supreme Court during the hearing related to the Special Intensive Review (SIR) case in West Bengal, where she briefly addressed the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, although she did not appear as a lawyer in that case.In the recently concluded assembly elections, Banerjee was defeated by current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari from Bhawanipur assembly constituency by a margin of over 15,000 votes. Following the defeat, Governor RN Ravi dissolved the previous assembly, thereby ending the Banerjee-led cabinet.

actor-director RJ Balaji Got emotional after ‘Karuppu’ could not be released as per plan on Thursday morning. The much-awaited Suriya starrer was scheduled to be released in theaters in Tamil Nadu and other states with a special 9 am show. But many morning shows were suddenly canceled due to last-minute financial and release issues. Fans who came all the way and even bought tickets for the first day of release were left disappointed. In this period of chaos and despair, RJ Balaji posted an emotional video message from his car, in which he personally tearfully apologized to his fans and viewers. His emotional reaction quickly went viral on social media and attracted sympathy from film lovers and Suriya fans.

RJ Balaji’s emotional video statement goes viral

In the emotional video, RJ Balaji said that he never thought that the situation would become so difficult. Struggling to control his emotions, he apologized to the audience who had come to the theaters early in the morning in hopes of celebrating the film’s release. He said emotionally, “Watching movies is usually a way for people to escape from their personal problems and stress. But instead, we have now created more frustration and pressure for fans.” He also said, “I sincerely apologize to all the people who came to watch the film from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra and all places.” The actor-director further revealed that many people were working continuously behind the scenes to resolve the issue and release the film as soon as possible.

Debate broke out on RJ Balaji’s allegations!

RJ Balaji also talked about the struggles faced by the team during the production and release of the film. He said that he strongly believed that May 14 would become a memorable day for the film. He shared, “I was confident that this film would achieve great success. Now my eyes are filled with tears because of this pain.” One line from his speech in particular caught the attention of fans online. “I used to say ‘Karuppu varan, vazhi viduven,’ but many people are still blocking the way,” he said emotionally. He also praised Suriya for standing by the team during this difficult moment and said that the actor was personally making great efforts to resolve the issue quickly.

‘Karuppu’ team hopes for a smooth release soon

‘Karuppu’ stars Suriya in the lead role and Trisha Krishnan plays the female lead. RJ Balaji plays an important negative role in the film, while the music is composed by Sai Abhyankar. The film has been promoted as a mass commercial entertainer with action, emotions and social themes. Although there was a feeling of disappointment among his fans due to the delay in the release of the film, they still extended their support to him through social media platforms. In his emotionally packed video, he concluded by saying that all the efforts will be worthwhile once ‘Karuppu’ is released.

FIFA confirmed on Thursday that global music icons Madonna, Shakira and K-pop supergroup BTS will lead the first halftime show during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Finals at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

The historic show, curated by Chris Martin, marks a significant change in the presentation of FIFA’s showpiece event, bringing the World Cup final closer to the entertainment spectacle associated with the Super Bowl in the United States.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the line-up via social media, saying that the performance would unite “music, football and a shared commitment to improving the lives of children around the world”.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final halftime show will be a truly special moment,” Infantino said, confirming that the event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to expand access to education and football for children around the world.

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19 and will feature 48 teams for the first time. FIFA expanded the tournament to 104 matches from the previous 64, while introducing an additional knockout round.

The inclusion of a halftime concert during the final may also extend the traditional 15-minute interval, although FIFA has not yet confirmed the exact duration of the break.

Halftime entertainment has long been a staple of major American sporting events, especially the Super Bowl. Madonna previously headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2012, while Shakira performed with Jennifer Lopez in 2020.

FIFA already used the concept during last year’s Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, where Chelsea won over Paris Saint-Germain with performances from Doja Cat, J Balvin and Thames.

The 2026 edition is expected to be the biggest World Cup in history, with matches spread across venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico before culminating in the final in New Jersey.

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At age 22, most people are still trying to finish university, secure their first steady job, or decide what they really want to do in life. This is why the story of Surya Midha has attracted so much global attention. The Indian-origin entrepreneur based in San Francisco, California reportedly became one of the world’s youngest self-made billionaires after the rapid growth of his artificial intelligence startup Mercor, reports Forbes. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Midha became a billionaire at an even younger age than Mark Zuckerberg. His journey from college dropout to tech billionaire has quickly become one of the most talked-about startup success stories of 2026, especially as the AI ​​industry is expanding at an extraordinary pace.

How Surya Midha’s Mercor AI recruitment turned into a billion dollar opportunity

Mercor was founded in 2023 by Surya Midha along with his friends Brendan Foody and Adarsh ​​Hiremath. The trio reportedly shared an interest in technology, debating, and entrepreneurship before deciding to start their own company during the growing artificial intelligence boom.The platform helps companies find employees who can contribute to artificial intelligence research, AI model training, technological development, and related projects. What made the startup stand out was its heavy use of artificial intelligence during the recruitment process. According to reports, the platform uses AI systems to conduct interviews, assess skills, evaluate candidates, and match people with companies more efficiently than traditional recruiting methods. Mercor has reportedly positioned itself as a fast and scalable solution for companies struggling to quickly hire qualified talent.

How Mercor went from startup to tech giant in just a few months by 2025

Mercor’s growth during 2025 reportedly surprised even seasoned investors in the technology sector. The company’s annual revenue grew from about $100 million at the beginning of the year to nearly $500 million within a few months, Forbes reports. The growing demand for AI services encouraged major investors to invest significant money in the company. By the end of 2025, Merker is reportedly set to reach a valuation of around $10 billion. That valuation instantly turned all three founders into billionaires, while they were still only 22 years old.Surya Midha currently serves as the company’s president after reportedly transitioning from his previous role as chief operating officer. Reports show that each co-founder owns about 22% of Mercor, giving them massive individual wealth as the company continues to grow. According to recent estimates, Midha’s real-time net worth is believed to be around $2.2 billion as per Forbes report on 14 May 2026.

Surya becomes a billionaire at a younger age than Midha Zuckerberg

One of the reasons why Surya Midha’s success story has gone viral online is because of the comparisons with Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg became a billionaire at the age of 23 following the explosive rise of Facebook, now known as Meta. Reportedly, Midha crossed this milestone at the age of just 22.The comparison highlights how quickly the AI ​​industry is generating enormous wealth for young entrepreneurs. During the social media era, companies like Facebook transformed the Internet. Today, artificial intelligence seems to be creating a new generation of ultra-young tech billionaires even faster.

How Surya Midha went from being a student to a startup founder during the AI ​​boom

Midha reportedly studied at Georgetown University before deciding to drop out of college and focus entirely on the startup. Leaving university is always a big gamble, especially in a competitive industry like technology. For many young entrepreneurs, especially students interested in artificial intelligence, Midha’s story represents the growing belief that age no longer limits success in the startup world. Technology, AI tools, and access to global investment networks have reportedly made it possible for young founders to scale companies faster than ever before.

From May 15 to June 15, 2026, the Sun will enter Taurus from Aries. This changes the mood immediately. Aries are sharp, direct, impatient, and action-driven. Taurus is slow, steady, and more concerned with money, comfort, security, food, family values, and long-term stability. So this one month period is not about rushing into everything. It’s about asking a very practical question: What is really stable in my life, and what only looks stable from the outside?Why is the Sun isolated in Taurus in 2026?This year, Sun is not moving alone in Taurus. Uranus is already in Taurus, so this transit brings unexpected changes around money, comfort, routine, relationships, and personal values. Taurus generally likes predictability, but Uranus doesn’t let things stay too stable. Saturn in Pisces also casts its third aspect to Taurus, adding pressure, discipline, and reality checks. For about half of this transit, Mercury also joins Taurus, so money talks, business decisions, negotiations, documents, and practical interactions become more important. Venus, the lord of Taurus, will also be in conjunction with Jupiter during this period, which brings love, finance, comfort, luxury and assistance in relationship development. Therefore, this month brings both opportunities and improvements.