Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices for domestic airlines rose nearly 10 per cent on Tuesday as state-owned oil marketing companies launched a government-backed price stabilization scheme that will allow carriers to lock fuel rates for three years.Under the new arrangement, airlines joining the scheme will have to pay a fixed ATF price of around Rs 115 per litre, while the previous rate was Rs 104.93 per litre. The move is aimed at protecting carriers from sharp fluctuations in global oil prices and reducing the impact of fuel volatility on airfares.The scheme, which is voluntary, allows airlines to choose between a fixed fuel price and market-based pricing. Carriers joining the program will be protected from fluctuations in global crude oil and jet fuel prices, while those remaining outside will continue to pay prevailing market rates and be exposed to both price increases and decreases.According to industry sources quoted by news agency PTI, participating airlines will have to pay a fixed free-on-board (FOB) benchmark price of Rs 86.32 per liter inclusive of airport charges, oil company margin and taxes. This means the effective selling price is around Rs 115 per liter in Delhi, Rs 114.5 per liter in Mumbai and Rs 139 per liter in Chennai.The move comes after domestic ATF prices remained unchanged for more than two months despite a rise in international fuel costs following the outbreak of the conflict in West Asia earlier this year. State-owned oil marketing companies suffered losses due to the limited impact of higher global prices.To address these losses and protect airlines from volatility, the Union Cabinet approved a price stabilization mechanism of Rs 10,000 crore. Under the framework, if global benchmark prices rise above the base rate of Rs 86.32 per litre, the government will provide interest-free advances to oil companies to bridge the gap. When prices fall below the benchmark, the excess amount will be recovered and returned to the Consolidated Fund of India.Officials said the arrangement is designed as a stabilization mechanism rather than a subsidy, with provisions for monitoring, accountability and eventual recovery of government support.ATF is one of the largest cost components for airlines, accounting for approximately 40 percent of operating expenses and rising to 60 percent during high fuel prices.International jet fuel prices touched around Rs 142 per liter in May, compared to around Rs 60.5 per liter before the West Asia conflict, raising concerns over airline profitability and the possibility of higher airfares, PTI’s industry sources said.

Having lost both their practice matches before the Women’s T20 World Cup, it has become very difficult for Pakistan to adapt to the conditions in England. They started with a heavy nine-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka, chasing the target of 169 runs in just 18.3 overs. However, Tuesday’s defeat may have hurt even more as Scotland defeated them by 41 runs via the DLS method at the County Ground in Derby.

Katherine Bryce, who led Scotland during their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in 2024, provided a tough challenge to Pakistan’s bowlers. The right-handed batsman completed his half-century off just 28 balls and then accelerated to remain unbeaten on 94 off 43 balls, studded with 11 fours and three sixes.

Also read: Women’s T20 World Cup Group A preview: India face tough test in three-way battle

On the strength of Bryce’s talent, Scotland scored 191 runs for five wickets when invited to bat first. Darcy Carter (45) and Katherine Fraser (19) provided a solid platform and led the Scots to a strong total before Bryce took charge. For Pakistan, Tasmiya Rubab, Sadia Iqbal and Ayesha Zafar took one wicket each, but no bowler was successful in stopping Bryce.

Pakistan’s batting collapsed

Pakistan had a very poor start while chasing the target and its score was 28 runs for three wickets in 4.1 overs. Left-arm fast bowler Rachel Slater did the damage at the top, while Gul Firozha, Saira Jabeen and Ayesha Zafar all failed to reach double figures. Muniba Ali, who has two T20I centuries to her name, put up some resistance, scoring 22 runs from 20 balls before Bryce took the wicket.

Iram Javed was looking promising before losing to Chloe Abel. When captain Fatima Sana tried to make a comeback by scoring 12 not out from seven balls, rain intervened and ultimately ended the contest.

Pakistan recently defeated Zimbabwe at home, but they failed to win a single match in the triangular series in Ireland. In one of those games, Ireland successfully chased down 177, exposing the weaknesses of Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Now after losing both the warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and Scotland, Pakistan will face a tough challenge in the group stage. They begin their campaign against India on June 14 before taking on six-time champions Australia and 2024 runners-up South Africa.

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Dussehra VijayanKnown for his content-driven films, has chosen something completely different for his OTT debut film ‘Exam’. Instead of choosing a glamorous or commercially safe role, the actress decided to play the role of Jhansi, a character that is deeply relatable to the struggles of many aspirants preparing for competitive exams. Dussehra Recently he opened up about what attracted him to the series and why meaningful stories continue to guide his career choices.

Dushara Vijayan prefers strong characters over screen presence

Speaking with Variety India about her approach to choosing roles, Dushara said, “I want my character to connect with the audience. It doesn’t matter how much screen time I get; what matters is the character.” The actress revealed that when director A. When Sarkunam narrated the story, he immediately felt a connection to Jhansi. “When he explained the character to me, I knew I had to do it,” he said. For Dussehra, the emotional depth and relevance of the role was more important than the length of her presence on screen.

Dushara Vijayan reveals why she liked this story

Dushara also explained why the central theme of ‘Pariksha’ struck a chord with her personally. “One of my relatives has been writing competitive exams for the last 10 years. He has decided not to get married until he clears it,” he said. The actress said such stories are common in many homes and should be highlighted. “It’s a real issue and it’s nice to be part of a series that talks about it,” she said. His comments reflect his interest in projects that reflect real-life challenges and social realities.

Action and emotion make ‘Pariksha’ a special project for Dussehra Vijayan

Apart from the story, Dussehra enjoyed the action elements featured in the series. “Stunts excite me,” he said, recalling the preparation process. He revealed that action director Dinesh Subbarayan trained the cast extensively, especially for the intense fight sequences. One of the most difficult scenes was the fight in the car, which had to be carefully planned and choreographed. ‘Exam’ is another unique production added to Dushara Vijayan’s growing repertoire through its socially significant storyline, emotional acting and tough action sequences.

Image: left/NatGeo/right/Canva

A torn sleeve, a piece of fabric left over from the tailor’s shop, a piece of material too small to be sewn into any fabric again; These are usually either left in a corner of one’s room or thrown out. However, from similar pieces in Lucknow, an idea emerged which later gained recognition across the borders.Aliya Fatima Rizvi, a Class 9 student of La Martiniere Girls College, Lucknow, started collecting scrap pieces of cloth and making colorful hand puppets from them. His idea of ​​converting waste materials into something useful not only proved innovative, but also became a means of educating children about waste utilization.This idea won first place 2026 National Geographic Slingshot Challenge.

From fabric scraps to award-winning innovations

Textile waste remains a big issue in India. Textile manufacturing plants, sewing centers and homes are major sources of textile waste. Most of these remain unused, even though they could be reused due to their perfect condition.This is what Aaliya thought of doing to resolve the issue. Instead of treating the discarded pieces as trash, they collected them and used them to make puppets that will help convey messages to children about recycling, reusing, and caring for the environment.The idea was recognized in the National Geographic Slingshot Challenge among other innovations from young innovators.

Bringing traditional art into modern classrooms

The project also holds a distinct local connection. Lucknow is famous for textile traditions like chikankari, while the northern part of India has an ancient tradition of storytelling through puppet shows. Puppets have been a source of entertaining people and conveying messages for generations.But now, this form of traditional performance is under threat due to competing forms of entertainment such as technology.But Alia’s idea brings together both the old and the new by using puppets to educate people on environmental issues. The result is something that is both familiar and fresh.

Teaching sustainability through puppets and stories

Children often connect more naturally to stories than lectures.This is why puppet-based education continues to be used in schools and awareness programs. They can make even the most difficult subjects accessible to children; Topics may range from health care, sanitation, or environmental protection.That’s exactly what Alia’s puppets do. To teach children about the importance of reducing waste, she demonstrates how such materials can have another purpose.It starts right from the beginning, when we see a doll made of bits and pieces of material. Every piece of stitching in this is proof that simplicity and sustainability can work together.

How Alia’s idea went from a small beginning to a grand vision

Although the entire project started as a small trial on behalf of her student at her school, she managed to expand its scope to a great extent.By transforming discarded pieces of cloth into puppets teaching environmental conservation lessons, Rizavi proved that environmental interventions don’t always mean lots of money and technology. Sometimes, this just means using materials that others would discard.In Rizavi’s project, craft activity, environmental protection and education are brought together in a common theme.

Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan and Raashi Khanna are moving ahead with work on their yet-untitled romantic comedy directed by Anees Bazmee. The actors recently shot portions of a romantic track in Mumbai after completing the Kerala schedule of the film in May. The team will next travel to Dehradun in July to complete the remaining parts of the song, which focuses on the key relationships of the story.

akshay kumar vidya balan song shoot

Mid-Day reported that the unit is currently filming at Royal Palms in Goregaon, Mumbai. The report states that the film team is working at a fast pace after wrapping up the Kerala schedule. The romantic track stars Kumar, Balan and Khanna. It shows how Kumar and Balan’s characters fall in love for the first time. In the film they played the role of a married couple. The song also shows how Kumar’s character met Khanna’s character, who plays his ex-girlfriend.A source told Mid-Day, “A set depicting the interiors of the lead couple’s house, designed by Mayur Sharma, was erected at Royal Palms. Choreographer Vijay Ganguly shot portions of the song in three days. In July, the unit will move to Dehradun where they will film the remaining portions of the track.”This sequence gives the film a romantic thread and also establishes the relationship between the three central characters.

Anees Bazmee’s film is headed to Dehradun

The song which started in Mumbai will end in Dehradun schedule. According to the report, the team will shoot the pending portions next month. Bazmee’s film brings together Kumar and Balan in a romantic-comedy setting. Their marriage is a part of the story, while Khanna’s role adds another layer through her relationship with Kumar.The Mumbai shoot used home interior sets created for the lead pair. The design helped the team capture the emotional moments of their relationship. Ganguly handled the choreography of the track. The report describes the setup as a love story involving three characters. It was also noted that the film has not been titled.Kumar, Balan and Khanna will continue work on the project as the team prepares for the Dehradun leg. The song shoot marks another step in the film’s production after its first Kerala schedule.

Photo: Marina Neuralyan/Instagram

Have you ever noticed how quickly your brain recognizes something in a confusing image? That first impression is not random; Instead, it is quietly revealing how your nervous system is feeling at the moment. This Optical Illusion Personality Test, recently shared by Marina Neuralyan on social media, invites you to look at a mysterious image and pay attention to what you see first: a butterfly or a moth, something dark and dangerous, just an abstract pattern, or a fairytale creature like a bird or dragon. The immediate effect it has on you can tell whether you’re feeling anxious, fearful, calm, or frightened. It’s not about your personality type; It’s about the current state of your body.Wait a moment. Look at the image. Then figure out what your first instinct tells you about how you’re really feeling.

1. If you first saw a butterfly, moth or winged creature, it means…

“Your nervous system is reaching out for space and freedom. The body wants to get away from something that feels too tight, whether it’s a situation, a conversation, a routine. This is not avoidance. This is your system telling you that it needs space to breathe. Your step one: Identify what specifically feels too tight right now. Not to fix it; just to name it. If you saw two figures or people, it means that your The nervous system is oriented toward connection and security. You instinctively scan “who’s with me” before relaxing. Your Step One: Ask yourself whose approval you’ve been waiting for lately. You probably already know,” Marina wrote in the post.

2. If you saw something dark, dangerous or monster-like, it means…

“Your threat-detection system is going into overdrive. Increased cortisol, hypervigilance. That’s not your personality. This is your amygdala doing what it has learned to do. Your One Step: Three slow breaths; Longer outside than inside. This sends a direct signal to your vagus nerve: the threat has passed,” she shared.

3. If you just saw a pattern or abstract shape, it means…

“Your nervous system is in a more regulated state. You’re not rushing to find meaning. There’s more space between stimulus and response right now. It’s not coolness; it’s grounding. Your step one: Notice what helped you get here. It’s worth repeating,” she explained.

4. If you have seen a bird, dragon or any other creature with a story, it means…

“Your nervous system expresses itself through imagination and narrative. Your internal world is very active right now; possibly more so than the external. Your step one: check if you’re really living in more scenarios than what’s in front of you,” she said.How accurate was this test result for you? Tell us in the comments section below.

This is a representative image

“Banning the entry of certain non-immigrant workers,” US President donald trump Announced as he signed a proclamation on September 19, 2025, unveiling one of the toughest changes ever to the H-1B visa program in the name of protecting American jobs and preventing alleged abuses of the system.Under the order, foreign professionals seeking some new H-1B visas will effectively face a hefty $100,000 hurdle, a move that immediately shocked the global technology industry and especially thousands of willing workers in India.However, the plan to put the brakes on the aspirations of many applicants was canceled on Monday after a federal judge in Massachusetts threw out Trump’s controversial $100,000 fee, saying the administration lacked the legal authority to impose an unauthorized tax on employers seeking to hire highly skilled foreign workers. The decision by U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin is seen as one of the most significant judicial setbacks to Trump’s sweeping effort to restrict legal immigration through executive action.The Court concluded that the fee far exceeded the charges authorized by Congress, effectively turning it into a tax that the executive branch cannot impose unilaterally.

What started the matter?

The controversy began when Trump, through a presidential proclamation, imposed a $100,000 fee for employers to pay the fee for some new H-1B workers recruited from abroad.The move immediately faced legal challenges from a coalition of 20 Democratic state attorneys general. They argued that the President had effectively created a new tax without congressional approval and had exceeded his authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act.States also warned that huge increases would discourage companies from sponsoring skilled foreign workers and harm state economies, universities, hospitals and technology industries that rely heavily on H-1B talent.In his ruling, Judge Sorokin agreed with the states’ argument and said the structure of the payment makes it a de facto tax.“Here, the substance and application of the $100,000 payment show that it is a tax, no matter what the payment is called,” the judge wrote. He also said that only Congress has the power to impose such a levy.

What actually changed in 2025?

In September 2025, Trump signed a proclamation called the Ban on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, which introduced a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025.The administration said the measure is intended to improve the program, curb abuses, and protect American workers.Subsequent guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services clarified that the fee will not apply to existing visa holders, renewals, or petitions filed before the effective date. Some exemptions were also outlined in “exceptionally rare circumstances”, including cases involving the national interest or a shortage of qualified US workers.The Trump administration defended this policy as part of its “America First” approach to immigration.Officials said the fee was designed to protect American workers, discourage companies from hiring cheap foreign labor, and generate revenue for immigration enforcement and border security.The White House also cited cases where companies had reduced domestic hiring while increasing H-1B sponsorship, arguing that the system was being abused.

Why did the court cancel it

In detailed findings, the court said the policy would cause widespread disruption in essential sectors such as education and healthcare.The plaintiffs argued that the fee would block faculty recruitment, put pressure on public universities, and reduce access to specialized medical professionals.He warned that the policy would “cause widespread harm throughout plaintiff states” by weakening health care systems, increasing the costs of state insurance programs, and reducing the availability of qualified professionals.Judge Sorokin agreed that these impacts reinforced concerns that the policy exceeded executive authority.

What is the H-1B program?

The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations that require at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent expertise.These roles include software engineering, medicine, finance, biotechnology and academic research. This program is widely used by technology companies to recruit engineers and coders, especially from India and China.Each year, the US issues 65,000 regular H-1B visas, with an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants with advanced US degrees. Because demand far exceeds supply, the program operates through a lottery system.Indian professionals account for nearly 70 percent of all H-1B beneficiaries, making any policy changes to the program particularly important for India’s technology workforce.Before the Trump administration’s proposal, employers typically paid between $2,000 and $5,000 in filing-related costs, depending on the type of petition.The new rule dramatically increased that burden to $100,000 for some new H-1B applications, making it one of the largest immigration-related costs ever.

Why does this matter for Indian workers?

Indian professionals dominate the H-1B system, accounting for nearly three-quarters of approvals in recent years. According to USCIS data, the average salary for H-1B professionals in technology and engineering often ranges from $110,000 to more than $140,000 annually. Because of these income levels, H-1B workers contribute substantial tax revenues to federal, state, and local governments.Data cited by Pew Research shows that India is the top country of birth for H-1B workers. Nearly 73% of H-1B workers whose applications were approved in FY 2023 were born in India, with the majority of approvals each year since 2010 going to Indian-origin professionals. China is the second largest source, accounting for about 12% of approvals in 2023.Gil Guerra, an immigration policy analyst at the Niskanen Center, told the BBC in 2025 that because the fee would only apply to new H-1B recipients, it would be more likely to cause medium and long-term labor shortages rather than immediate disruption.

Indian professionals may also benefit from this decision, making it easier for US employers to hire specialized foreign talent. Kuldeep Kumar, partner at Mainstay Tax Advisors, who specializes in global mobility and cross-border taxation matters, said the decision could encourage employers who were hesitant due to the huge additional costs.“This is a favorable development and may encourage many US employers who require specialized foreign talent to access the global labor market, who may be reluctant to do so due to the significant cost implications of the tariff,” Kumar told TOI.

India cannot depend indefinitely on any one country as the primary destination for its skilled workforce.

Rajeev Dabhadkar

At the same time, Rajiv Dabhadkar, founder of National Organization for Software and Technology Professionals (NOStops), said that this decision has brought a broad lesson for India.He said the decision should also serve as a reminder that India cannot depend indefinitely on any one country as the primary destination for its skilled workforce.

what the experts said

Dabhadkar said the decision preserves the role of the H-1B program as an important channel for global talent.“While the $100,000 fee would not have been a routine cost increase, it would have fundamentally changed the business case of hiring foreign professionals, particularly Indians, who are the backbone of the H-1B workforce. If it had remained in place, many employers would probably have shifted work abroad instead of importing talent,” he told TOI.He argued that the measure was more than a routine immigration policy change.He said, “The $100,000 fee was not immigration policy, it was economic exclusion in legal terms. The court correctly identified it as an unauthorized tax.”Dabhadkar also said that the episode highlights the need to strengthen opportunities for India domestically.He said, “The deeper message for India’s knowledge workforce should be clear: the era of relying on a single geopolitical path for professional development is over. India must now invest as seriously in creating world-class opportunities at home as its professionals have invested in creating them abroad.”However, Kumar cautioned that the legal battle may not be over.“However, it is important to note that the Federal Court’s decision was based on a finding that the fee was, in fact, a tax. “Under the U.S. Constitution, the power to tax lies with Congress, not the President,” he said. “Therefore the decision is likely to be challenged on appeal. If the decision is stayed by the appellate court, the fee may remain in force until the case is finally resolved,” he said.

How did the Trump administration respond?

The Department of Homeland Security criticized the decision, calling it judicial overreach and accusing the court of interfering with immigration reforms.A statement from DHS said it “disagrees with this blatant judicial activism that seeks to dismantle President Trump’s historic efforts for immigration reform.”Trump also reacted sharply, saying, “These federal judges are really giving us a hard time. What’s happening with the court system is really crazy… They’re hurting our country very badly.”White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said the administration was confident the decision would be overturned on appeal.“President Trump has the clear legal authority to restrict entry to any class of aliens that he does not believe to be in the best interests of the United States, and that is exactly what he did,” she said.

what happens next?

The Massachusetts federal court’s ruling means the $100,000 fee cannot currently be enforced and must be set aside. However, the legal battle is not over yet. The Trump administration has already signaled its intention to appeal.The decision also highlights a growing legal divide. In a separate case, a federal judge in Washington previously upheld the charges, agreeing that the administration had broad authority under immigration law to restrict the entry of foreign nationals. That decision is now subject to appeal.What happens next will depend on higher courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The Trump administration may also seek a stay to keep the tariffs in effect while the litigation continues.However, for now, the ruling effectively halts the charges nationwide, providing relief to employers, universities, and thousands of foreign professionals who rely on the H-1B program to work in the United States.“In addition, other restrictive measures related to the H-1B selection process will remain in place. The long-term impact will depend on the outcome of the appellate proceedings and any subsequent policy changes,” Kumar said.