William Carrier #28 of the Carolina Hurricanes practices before game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 09, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Josh Lovely/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes are getting ready for another big NHL playoff battle, but forward William Carrier already has some competition at home. The veteran winger recently said that despite Carolina’s post-season success this year, his wife and some family members are still rooting for the Montreal Canadiens.Carrier’s comments quickly made their way into the latest NHL news roundups due to the unusual family rivalry surrounding the Eastern Conference Finals. But the playoff matchup has created a light-hearted but awkward situation for the Quebec-born forward at home while the Carolina Hurricanes continue to focus on chasing the Stanley Cup.

William Carrier discusses supporting the Montreal Canadiens inside the Carolina Hurricanes family

William Carrier admitted that there are a lot of people around me who are loyal to the Montreal Canadiens because of their Quebec roots. The Carolina Hurricanes winger joked that his wife is still rooting for Montreal during the NHL playoff season.It provides an interesting storyline for one of the biggest NHL matchups of the day. However, Carrier said he understands his family’s loyalty to the Canadiens, but his only concern is helping the Carolina Hurricanes advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs.The veteran winger has been a good depth player for Carolina with his physical style, good anticipation ability, and playoff experience. His energy has led the Hurricanes to keep their momentum going into the playoffs.The Hurricanes entered the Eastern Conference Finals as one of the strongest teams remaining after dominant playoff performances early in the postseason. They have a good mix of players and defense that still makes them a strong Stanley Cup contender.Career focus seems to be fine, although family rivalry has become a popular NHL Update storyline. The forward laughed off the situation but made it clear that playoff success was more important than domestic bragging rights.The story also reflects the passion for the Montreal Canadiens throughout Quebec, where support for the franchise is often passed down from one generation of families to the next. Even with a career skating for Carolina now, it’s hard to replace those hometown loyalties during the NHL playoffs.

What started as a question about polluted drinking water has now transformed three Indian teenagers into internationally recognized young innovators. Sixteen-year-old Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Aggarwal and Avyana Mehta have been named Asia winners of The Earth Prize 2026 for creating ‘Plas-Stick’, a biodegradable solution that removes microplastics from water using powdered tamarind seeds. Inspired by visits to rural communities where families stored drinking water in shared containers without advanced filtration systems, the trio developed a low-cost method aimed at addressing growing concerns about invisible plastic pollution in drinking water.

Indian teen creates ‘Plas-Stick’ to fight microplastics

Plas-Stick is a biodegradable powder made primarily from tamarind seed waste and the team says it can help collect microplastics in water. According to the students, when mixed with contaminated water, the powder attracts microplastic particles and turns them into large clumps, which can then be removed using a handheld magnet.The idea emerged when students visited rural communities and observed how people stored and shared drinking water in large containers. During one such trip, seeing a child drinking from containers reportedly highlighted the issue of daily exposure to microplastics in areas where advanced filtration systems are unavailable.The team designed this invention as a low-cost and accessible alternative to complex purification systems. Because it uses biodegradable and locally available materials and does not require electricity or advanced infrastructure, the solution could potentially work in rural and low-resource communities.The students have also collaborated with professionals from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and say the project has already reached more than 8,000 students and teachers through awareness and exposure programs.

Why are microplastics causing global concern?

Microplastics are extremely small plastic fragments, typically less than five millimeters in size, that form from the breakdown of larger plastics, synthetic fabrics, industrial waste, and packaging materials.Recent scientific studies have identified microplastics in drinking water, seafood, human blood, lungs, placenta, and even brain tissue. Researchers are still studying long-term health effects, but many scientists view microplastic contamination as a major emerging pollution challenge.Globally, more than 2.2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water infrastructure, increasing reliance on stored water that may contain microplastic contamination.

winning the prithvi award

The Earth Prize is described by organizers as the world’s largest environmental competition and ‘ideas incubator’ for teenagers aged 13 to 19. Founded by The Earth Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland during the 2019 School Strike for Climate movement, the program supports youth-led sustainability projects through mentorship, educational resources, and funding opportunities.Now in its fifth year, The Earth Prize says it has reached more than 21,000 students in 169 countries and territories. Previous winners have reportedly acquired patents, corporate partnerships, and international media coverage.As Asia winners, three Indian students received $12,500 in funding to develop their project along with mentorship opportunities and international exposure. Seven regional winners are being announced globally across different regions including Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.Some viral social media posts falsely claimed that each student individually received $125,000. Official announcements from The Earth Prize confirm that the team collectively received a regional prize grant of $12,500.Public voting for the global winner is expected to begin via The Earth Prize website, with the final global winner to be announced on May 29.One of the most innovative aspects of the project is the use of tamarind seed waste. Tamarind seeds contain naturally sticky polysaccharides and binding compounds that can help attract and aggregate particles in water.By using agricultural waste instead of synthetic chemicals, students created a biodegradable and low-cost solution, while also demonstrating how locally available materials can contribute to environmental innovation.The team says it now plans to scale the project through decentralized production centers and expand access to rural communities across India.

Can the invention be used commercially?

Plas-Stick is still in the development phase and has not yet undergone large-scale independent scientific validation. The invention will require further testing before large-scale deployment.Experts will need to evaluate filtration effectiveness, long-term safety, scalability, water quality standards, and regulatory approval before it becomes commercially available.Nevertheless, the project has already attracted attention as an example of how young innovators are contributing practical ideas to major environmental challenges.

USCIS reveals 38.5% decline in H-1B registrations for FY 2027.

USCIS published details of the H-1B fiscal year 2027 lottery as the season approached and celebrated a 38.5% decline in registrations, attributed to President Donald Trump’s America First policies. In one year, the number of registrations dropped from 343,981 in FY 2026 to only 211,600 in FY 2027. The agency said, “This data is a clear indication that the days of abusing the program with massive, low-wage enrollment are over, and that the program is better serving its intended purpose of attracting high-skilled foreign workers and protecting the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities of American workers.”On salary-based selection, which was introduced for the first time this year to replace a random lottery, the agency said it approved more applicants with advanced degrees and higher salaries and gave priority to those who studied at U.S. universities. “71.5% of the aliens selected have a U.S. master’s degree or higher, compared to 57% last year,” the agency said.USCIS said, “These skilled workers are making a real impact on our economy and we are closing the door on the low-wage and low-skilled foreign labor pipeline approved under Biden Administration policies. This year, only 17.7% of all selected registrations were in the lowest wage category.”The release of these numbers is awaited by H-1B applicants and the companies that handle these applications as they speculate whether there will be a second and third lottery if the H-1B quota is not filled in the first round of the lottery.Immigration attorney Emily Newman said the number of registrations submitted this year is about the same as the number 10 years ago. But the main reason is the $100,000 fee that Trump imposed on applications outside the US. “The 38.5% decline from last year likely accounts only for beneficiaries who are outside the United States and therefore subject to the $100,000 Trump fee,” Newman said.“Since implementing the electronic lottery, USCIS has selected an average of 127,843 registrations each year to fill 85,000 slots (not counting 2024, in which a much higher number were selected). This suggests that this year’s selection rate should be closer to 60%,” Newman estimated.

Ho Chi Minh (Image: Wikipedia)

There are some quotes that seem simple when first read and then gradually grow larger as one spends more time thinking about them. This quote, often attributed to Ho Chi Minh, falls into the same category. At first glance, it appears to be talking about two things that don’t seem connected at all: planting trees and developing people. Yet beneath those words lies a much broader conversation about patience, growth, and the difference between creating short-term results and building something that will last longer than a lifetime.People today live in a world built around speed. Results are expected immediately. Messages are delivered instantly, businesses track numbers every few weeks and social media has made people accustomed to seeing results as soon as an effort begins. Waiting feels uncomfortable because waiting creates uncertainty. People often want direct evidence that progress is being made. When results appear slowly, disappointment sets in quickly.Perhaps that is why this quote seems meaningful even today, even though it is from another era. It moves quietly in the opposite direction to modern habits. Instead of asking what will generate rewards tomorrow, it asks what will generate value decades from now. It asks people to think beyond immediate gratification and imagine a more comprehensive future.The quote never dismisses planting trees. The trees themselves represent patience because the person planting the tree understands that the reward will not come immediately. A person places something small in the earth, knowing full well that it will take years to grow. Shadow, fruit and power come later. The person doing the planting can never fully enjoy every benefit of that effort.Yet this quote goes beyond nature and puts people at the center. It suggests that helping humans thrive leads to something even greater as educated minds, capable individuals, and thoughtful generations continue to shape the future even after the original effort ends.

Quote of the Day by Ho Chi Minh

“To get profit in ten years, plant trees. To get profit in 100 years, develop people.”

What is the meaning behind Ho Chi Minh’s quote?

Essentially this quote seems to focus on the idea of ​​long-term thinking. Planting trees is already an act of patience because no one expects immediate rewards. The person doing the planting understands that time itself is part of the process. Nature does not hurry because evolution moves at its own pace.The second part of the quote takes that idea further. Developing people requires even more patience because human development is often slower and more complex than growing a tree. It takes time to develop knowledge. It takes time to develop a character. Skills develop gradually and values ​​often emerge from years of experience rather than sudden moments.Modern life sometimes creates unrealistic expectations. People want quick achievements and instant success stories. Students feel pressure to perform quickly. Rapid progress in career is expected. Many people silently compare their progress with others and start feeling left behind.This quote seems to challenge that thinking. This suggests that some of the most important forms of development occur slowly and that slowness should not be confused with failure. Human development often works invisibly during its early stages. Its effect is visible much later.A child learning discipline may not show immediate results. A teacher sharing ideas may not witness change immediately. Parents guiding children through difficult years do not always realize that every lesson counts.However, years later, the effects often manifest in ways no one expected.

Why do people naturally pursue immediate rewards?

Humans have always had a complex relationship with patience. Immediate rewards feel gratifying because they remove uncertainty. People enjoy direct signals that the effort is working. Someone starts exercising and expects to see changes quickly. A person begins to learn a skill and seeks rapid improvement. Businesses often focus too much on short-term numbers because the numbers provide reassurance.The challenge is that many meaningful things refuse to work according to that schedule.Trust does not develop immediately. Strong relationships don’t emerge overnight. Knowledge itself grows slowly as understanding is built layer by layer.Human evolution follows a similar pattern.Someone learning to be a doctor studies for years before practicing independently. Athletes train for a long time before reaching their peak levels. Musicians repeat the same technique thousands of times before the audience takes notice of their abilities.The hard thing about long journeys is that progress often feels invisible in the beginning. People sometimes become discouraged because they mistake slow growth for no growth.Yet many of life’s most important events occur quietly beneath the surface before becoming visible later.

Looking beyond politics and focusing on the bigger idea

Ho Chi Minh is one of the most important historical figures associated with the modern history of Vietnam, but the larger message within this quote goes beyond political identity. Similar ideas have appeared again and again in different cultures and times because societies have long understood that people themselves are at the center of progress.Buildings can be built, roads can be expanded, and technology can transform industries, but the ability to imagine and create these things always begins with humans. Knowledge, leadership and innovation do not emerge freely. They emerge through individuals who get opportunities to learn and grow.When communities invest in people, the impacts rarely stop within one generation. One educated person can teach hundreds of others. A mentor can influence a student’s self-confidence forever. One person, given a chance, can ultimately create something that changes thousands of lives.Human evolution creates a chain reaction that continues to grow outward in ways that are difficult to predict.

Quiet place where farming actually happens

People sometimes imagine that development of individuals happens only through schools, universities or premier institutions. In fact, most of it happens in common places that people rarely think about.It happens around the dinner table where parents talk to children after long days. This happens during conversations between friends. This happens in classrooms where teachers explain lessons over and over again, without knowing which ideas students will remember years later.Sometimes people discover confidence because another person believed in them during difficult moments. Sometimes one changes the direction of life because of advice that seemed normal at the time. Some words remain in the memory for decades, even if no one recognized their significance when they were first spoken.Many important moments do not seem extraordinary when they occur.Most meaningful changes in human life rarely come through dramatic events. More often, they appear gradually through repeated experiences that seem small at the time.

Other famous quotes from Ho Chi Minh

Why do these words still resonate today?

Some quotes disappear because they relate only to a particular historical moment. Others keep returning because people find something relevant inside themselves again and again. This quote lives on because every generation grapples with the same temptation of short-term thinking.People keep wanting instant success. They want quick results and visible progress. Yet many of the things that most profoundly shape life still refuse to move at that pace. Education requires time. Character requires time. Human development requires time.Perhaps this is the silent lesson hidden beneath these words. Planting trees creates value over the years, but growing them creates something even greater because people ultimately become the shapers of future generations. Investing may take longer, and the rewards may come slowly, but some of the most meaningful things in life were never designed to happen overnight.

The Times of India has announced the inaugural edition of TOI Home & Decor Awards 2026. Envisioned as the definitive platform celebrating the visionaries who define how India lives, the awards will bring together the country’s most influential architects, interior designers, developers, home brands and innovators shaping the future of modern living. From timeless places and iconic structures to breakthrough products and intelligent home solutions, the awards will recognize excellence that seamlessly blends aesthetics, functionality and innovation.TOI Home & Decor Awards 2026 aims to highlight the ideas, people and enterprises reshaping India’s evolving relationship with home and design. As Indian consumers increasingly look for spaces that reflect individuality, sustainability and smart living, the awards will honor the creators and changemakers leading this transformation in architecture, interiors, decor, technology and lifestyle. With a focus on creativity, craftsmanship and impact, this initiative marks the beginning of a prestigious annual celebration of excellence in the world of home and decor.With over 35 nominations across various categories, the awards will recognize the gamechangers who are redefining contemporary Indian life. Categories include Personal Excellence, Project Excellence, Kitchen & Bathroom, Furniture & Furnishings, Décor & Materials, Smart Living & Security, Wellness & Comfort, Fitness & Personal Living, Family & Nursery, Outdoor Living and New Age.The winners of TOI Home & Decor Awards 2026 will be selected by an eminent jury comprising renowned architects, renowned interior designers and industry stalwarts. They include Komal Sanghvi Vasa, Founder Principal, Gesmat Design; Padmashree awardee Dr. Gopalan Nair Shankar of People’s Architect and Habitat Technology Group; Aparna Kaushik Founder and Principal Architect; Ravi Kewalramani, real estate entrepreneur and digital creator, and Priyam Saraswat, digital creator, co-founder and CEO of Voosh.Are you a visionary redefining the way India lives, designs and innovates? Or do you know someone whose work is shaping the future of home and decor in India? Nominate yourself, your brand, your project or an industry leader for the TOI Home & Decor Awards 2026. Why nominate yourself for TOI Home & Decor Awards 2026? It’s more than just an award – it’s a platform for national recognition and industry-wide visibility. You get a chance to showcase your work among India’s leading architects, designers, brands and innovators by leveraging TOI’s powerful media amplification that reaches millions of homeowners, developers and investors. The awards offer credible recognition from some of India’s most respected design experts along with unique networking opportunities to connect with industry leaders, visionaries and decision makers shaping the future of design and life.All about the enrollment processThere are three pricing categories you can nominate yourself or someone you know under.The Standard Entry Package, priced at Rs 25,999, includes a nomination and a certificate. The Growth plan of Rs 49,999 offers two nominations with one social media post and certificate for each entry. The premium entry package, priced at Rs 99,999, includes two nominations, a dedicated social media post, an original article feature and certificates for each nomination. From unprecedented locations and iconic products to smart living solutions and design excellence, this is your opportunity to celebrate and spotlight the best in interiors with TOI Home & Decor Awards 2026. Learn more about the awards and the nomination process. Here.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday that he will leave the club at the end of the season, ending an historic 10-year tenure that transformed Manchester City into one of football’s dominant powers.

City announced that Guardiola will step down After Sunday’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa. The Spaniard, who joined the club in 2016, departed as the most successful manager in Manchester City history after winning 20 major trophies.

Guardiola has activated a break clause in the contract he signed last year, which was due to run until June 2027. He will now move into a global ambassador role within City Football Group and will continue to provide technical advice to clubs across the organisation.

Speaking after the announcement, Guardiola said that the decision came from within rather than any external factor.

“Don’t ask me the reason for my departure,” Guardiola said. “There’s no reason, but deep down I know it’s my time. Nothing is eternal, if it were, I would be here. The feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for Manchester City will be eternal.”

The 55-year-old leaves behind one of the greatest managerial legacies in Premier League history. During their decade at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups, the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Guardiola’s arrival marked the beginning of a new era for the club. His teams combined relentless intensity with technical precision and tactical control, dominating English football for much of the last decade and setting records for points, goals and winning runs.

The club’s long wait for European success also ended under Guardiola when City lifted the Champions League trophy in Istanbul in 2023, completing a historic treble-winning campaign.

Sunday’s match against Aston Villa will be Guardiola’s 593rd and final game in charge of Manchester City.

In an emotional farewell message, Guardiola reflected on the relationship he had built with the club, the supporters and the city.

“When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking, ‘Okay Noel is here? This will be fun.’

“And what a great time we’ve had together.”

Guardiola also explained how Manchester’s working-class identity influenced him during his decade in England.

“This is a city made of work. Of corruption. You see it in the color of the bricks. Of people who came early, stayed late. Of factories. Of Pankhurst. Of unions. Of music. Just the Industrial Revolution and how it changed the world.

“And I think I started to understand it, and my teams understood it too. We worked. We suffered losses. We struggled. And we did things our way. Our way.”

The City boss thanked the supporters for standing by the team in both setbacks and victories.

“Trips to Bournemouth, when we lost the Premier League, and you were there. Trips to Istanbul, when you were there, too.”

Guardiola’s departure signals the end of one of the defining managerial reigns seen in English football. Beyond the trophies, he transformed Manchester City’s expectations and established the club among the elite teams in world football.

City’s hierarchy have long viewed Guardiola as a central figure in the club’s footballing identity, making his exit one of the biggest moments in the club’s modern era.

Attention will now turn to the search for Guardiola’s successor, with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expected to be one of the leading contenders for the role.

– ends

Cusac Cave, a hidden cave in the Dordogne region of France, revealed thousands of years of history when explorer Marc Deluc discovered elaborate Upper Paleolithic art. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Beneath the beautiful, rolling hills of the Dordogne region in southwestern France, a massive mystery of history has been hidden in complete darkness for thousands of years. On September 12, 2000, a dedicated cave explorer named Mark DeLuc was searching for new passages in the caves of this area. Eventually he discovered that there was a very small and noticeable crack in the limestone rock through which he decided to squeeze his body.As he was passing through the dark and wet underground passage, he raised his lamp to inspect the walls. According to their expectations, they should have encountered common geological features; However, he saw many beautiful, detailed lines carved on the stones.The marks may be unnoticed by archaeologists because they may simply be random scratches made by cave bears or erosion. Yet, as Deluk explored inside, traces began to create fantastic images of mammoths, bison and wild horses that were long dead. It was a rare find indeed – an untouched Upper Palaeolithic gallery that would soon be dubbed Cusack’s Cave by the rest of the world.Uncovering two mysteries of a prehistoric templeThis exciting discovery shocked the scientific community because the cave contained a mixture of prehistoric wonders that had never been seen before by humans. according to a In situ study of the Gravettian man from Cusack’s CaveA thorough anthropological study is presented American Journal of Biological AnthropologyThis cave was quite unique as it contained monumental rock paintings as well as untouched human skeletal remains.By analyzing the unique artistic style of the animal carvings and using advanced radiocarbon dating on the surrounding sediments, researchers determined that the cave was actively used during the Gravettian period, approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago.

Further exploration revealed an intact human skeleton, suggesting that the cave served as a prehistoric burial site and place of worship. Remarkably, ancient footprints preserved in the mud indicate the use of sophisticated footwear. Image credit: Evidence of the use of soft shoes in the Gravettian cave of Cussac (Dordogne, France) Figure 2

Scientists focused on a particular part of the underground structure known as Locus 2 and discovered an almost complete skeleton of a human lying in a natural depression. It became clear that an ancient burial ritual had involved placing a body inside a natural cavity where a layer of soil had been deliberately applied to cover the bones. This showed that the cave was no longer simply a place to create prehistoric art, but a highly significant space that combined both religious aspects of artistic activities as well as the worship of dead ancestors.Ghostly footprints left in ancient mudApart from the magnificent wall carvings and the perfectly preserved skeletons of the ancestors, the unique cave environment managed to preserve something else too. As revealed in a special archaeological study Evidence of the use of soft shoes in Cusack’s Gravettian Cavepublished in magazine scientific reportThe muddy floors of the corridor retain the footprints of inhabitants thousands of years ago.In the study of footprints, it was observed that some circular footprints were in the form of a depression, which did not contain distinct fingerprints. Because of this special feature, scientists believe that ancient populations used highly refined leather shoes to protect themselves from the cold stone floors of caves.The Cusack Cave is today protected with great precision by the French government, as its opening is not easily accessible to many people every year, so as not to damage the delicate paintings due to excessive humidity and air breathing.As we walk the streets of modern French cities busy with their daily hustle and bustle, an older world, rich in its depths, waits patiently for us in the darkness just beneath our feet.

Winnership Time: 00:19:04

Times Internet Half Marathon 2026 was not just about speed or podium finishes, it was about stories shaped by years of discipline, consistency and passion. In the 5K Men’s 50+ category, runners brought with them decades of experience, proving that the desire to compete and challenge oneself never diminishes with age.These guys didn’t just race. He represented a lifestyle built around stamina, commitment and the joy of constantly pushing beyond limits.

Ramesh Kumar

At 53, Ramesh Kumar has spent the last two decades building an incredible relationship with running. What started as pure interest gradually turned into a life-long passion, leading to him completing nearly 100 marathons over the years.For Ramesh, running is more than fitness; It is a way of life. Speaking about the event, he proudly called the Times Internet Half Marathon the “number one marathon”, praising the energy, organization and experience created for the runners.

Deepesh Joshi

For Deepesh Joshi, 51, running started as a solution to weight gain about eight years ago. But somewhere during the journey, fitness turned into a passion.What makes his story even more special is how running became a part of his family culture. Deepesh got his loved ones involved in the sport and became part of one of the earliest marathon running couples, proving that running can inspire not only individuals, but entire families.

Always looking for the next challenge, Narendra is now preparing for the grueling 72 kilometer race, which is a reflection of his mentality to never stop pushing the limits.The Times Internet Half Marathon 2026 celebrated runners like these individuals who continue to inspire through commitment, resilience and love of the sport. With each edition, the marathon evolves into more than just an event; It becomes a community where stories, generations and passions come together on the same path.

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