New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday soft-launched four digital tools and unveiled the mascots of Census 2027, ‘Pragati’ (female) and ‘Vikas’ (male).These mascots symbolize the equal participation of men and women in India’s journey to become a developed nation by 2047.The new digital platform, developed by the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), is designed to support the enumeration process of the world’s largest census exercise.The 2027 Census is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2026, and will be conducted in two phases. The first phase, a home listing and housing census, will take place from April to September 2026, followed by the census phase in February 2027.The national headcount will be conducted entirely digitally for the first time. Before enumerators begin going door-to-door, citizens can also conduct a self-census online in 16 languages.At the heart of the event will be the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS), a dedicated digital portal designed to coordinate one of the largest administrative operations in the world.The system will mark a major shift from traditional paper-based enumerations. Instead of clipboards and paper forms, field staff will use handheld devices, geotagged mapping tools and a centralized web-based monitoring platform.More than 3.2 million enumerators, supervisors and other field officers across the country will participate in the exercise. They will use handheld devices to collect detailed demographic, social and economic data from hundreds of millions of households.The collected data will be transmitted and processed through the CMMS platform, allowing it to be aggregated, verified and monitored in near real-time, significantly reducing the time required for compilation and error correction.The 2027 Census will be the 16th national census since independence and the first to be conducted fully digitally, with a self-enumeration option for citizens.The decennial census was originally scheduled for 2021 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.According to the Registrar General of India (RGI), in the first phase of the exercise, citizens will be asked 33 questions focusing on house listings and housing details.
MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e first impressions: a cheap and cheerful return
From time to time, Apple ditches plain silver and gray tones, leveraging color and lower price points to appeal to a broader, mostly younger audience. Sometimes it’s successful. Sometimes…not so much.
new MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e This is Apple’s latest strategy aimed at budget-conscious customers. Do the $599 price tag and candy-colored hues make up for the low-cost hardware?
Meet Evelyn N. Wang: A scientist who wants to empower every home to produce its own water |
Water touches every aspect of human life. We drink it, cook with it, bathe with it, and rely on it for health and hygiene. However, according to global estimates, more than 2.2 billion people around the world lack reliable access to safe drinking water at home. Access to clean water is especially difficult in dry areas where there are no pipes or old infrastructure. Scientists have long been looking for new ways to obtain clean drinking water that doesn’t just come from wells, rivers or treatment plants. One idea scientists are working on is getting water directly from the air. There is always some moisture in the air, even in dry places. If water could be quickly collected and converted into clean water, it could help millions of people who don’t have enough water. Evelyn N. Wang, a mechanical engineer and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is leading the research. Her work focuses on creating technology that could one day allow households to make their own drinking water from the air around them.
Who is Evelyn N. Wang? what is her research
Evelyn Ning-Yi Wang is an American mechanical engineer. She holds the Ford Professorship of Mechanical Engineering at MIT and, starting in 2025, will serve as the university’s vice president for energy and climate. Her research covers heat transfer, solar energy and materials engineering. An important focus of her work is atmospheric water harvesting, a process that captures moisture from the air and converts it into liquid water.Professor Wang and her team study energy, heat flow and water systems in their MIT lab, Device Research Laboratory. Their goal is to find solutions to real environmental problems. One of their projects is using solar energy and new materials to create a device that can extract moisture from the air, even when it’s dry.
What is atmospheric water harvesting
Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is the process of collecting water vapor already in the air and converting it into liquid water that can be stored and used. The air contains large amounts of water in the form of vapor, and this water is found all over the world. You can use AWH technology to obtain this resource.There are several scientific methods for extracting water from the air:
- Traditional condensation methods cool the air below the dew point, which causes the moisture to turn into water droplets, much like morning dew forms.
- Fog collection is the process of collecting water droplets from dense fog using a net or mesh.
- Wang’s work uses an adsorption-based approach that relies on materials absorbing water molecules from the air and then releasing them as a liquid when heated or exposed to sunlight.
The adsorption-based approach has attracted attention because it can work even in low-humidity conditions where relative humidity may be as low as 20%, such as in deserts and arid areas.
How Wang’s device works
Professor Wang’s team built devices that combine special adsorption materials with solar heat to extract water from the air. In an early proof-of-concept system the team tested with researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, water vapor was adsorbed into the porous material at night. During the day, the heat of the sun releases water vapor, which then condenses into a collecting reservoir. This setup requires no power input; it runs on heat from the sun.The porous materials used in these devices are sometimes chosen for their ability to retain many water molecules on their surfaces. These materials are engineered to attract water vapor even when the air is dry. When the water gets too hot, they drain it and then collect and clean it.In the lab and in the field, prototypes created by Professor Wang and her team have shown that this method can obtain measurable amounts of water, even in very dry desert conditions. At a test site in Arizona, the device operates with no mechanical moving parts and is powered solely by sunlight.Because the materials and device design require no electricity to operate, the researchers believe future versions could be low-cost and scalable. The goal is to create systems that can operate on ambient heat sources such as sunlight, allowing deployment in homes, rural communities and areas with limited infrastructure.
Why this research is important
The World Health Organization and the United Nations say water shortages are a big problem around the world, especially in arid regions and places with rapid urban development. Water shortages can lead to health problems, economic problems and social stress when people have to travel long distances or rely on unsafe drinking water sources.Traditional methods of producing clean water, such as desalination or building large new treatment facilities, can be costly and energy-intensive. In contrast, atmospheric water harvesting technology provides a decentralized water source that can operate without a grid. This makes it particularly suitable for households in rural or remote areas where infrastructure is limited or unreliable.If technology continues to improve, it could eventually be possible to manufacture and install smaller home devices, much like solar panels on your roof. Over time, such systems can help communities and households replenish their water supplies without having to rely on large, centralized systems.
what will happen in the future
Researchers around the world are still working on atmospheric water harvesting to make it more efficient, reduce costs and make the system work better in different climates. In recent years, new prototypes using alternative materials and technologies have shown higher performance and faster production speeds. For example, an experimental approach that uses ultrasound to release water droplets trapped in an adsorbent is much better than a passive approach that uses heat to accomplish the same task. This is a new direction for future home devices.Professor Wang’s research and similar projects are part of a larger scientific effort to find new solutions to global water problems. People don’t often use this technology in their homes yet, but the progress made so far suggests that it may be possible to use air to produce water in the home in the future, especially in places where water is hard to find.
‘Five games on black soil’: Finn Allen reveals the secrets behind New Zealand’s rise
New Delhi: Explosive opener find alan New Zealand have credited their recent tour of India as a key factor in their clinical performance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after scoring a century-breaking century and taking them to the final.Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Allen produced one of the most devastating strikes in World Cup history at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, hitting an unbeaten 100 in just 33 balls as New Zealand chased down a tricky 170 in just 12.5 overs against South Africa. The nine-wicket win secured New Zealand’s place in the final in emphatic fashion.
After the match, Allen highlighted how the five-match series against India before the match had helped the visitors adapt to the harsh black soil surfaces used during the World Cup.“It just goes to show the importance of the India series that the boys played before the World Cup. Five games on black soil… you can’t replicate that preparation,” Allen said. “As a team, we learned a lot. As a team, we fought hard. In those big games, we were ready to give up and hang on until the end.”Allen also praised the New Zealand bowlers for the win after an early breakthrough sapped South Africa’s momentum. “Our bowlers got us off to a very impressive start – certainly, they set us up for the game. On a pitch like this, if you can get the wicket in front and put the pressure on, it makes life a lot easier for the batsmen.”The right-hander added that his recent experience of playing in India gave him a better understanding of the situation there. “The last game against India on black soil gave me a proper idea of what was to come. That’s really helpful in getting into this field,” he said.Allen also paid special tribute to his opening partner Tim Seiferthe scored a 33-ball 58 in a heated stand, effectively ending the innings in the powerplay.“He just keeps taking boundaries…he’s been doing that throughout the tournament. He’s in unbelievable form. It’s a lot of fun to bat with Timmy when he’s in that mood,” Allen said.Looking ahead to the final, Allen urged fans back home to rally behind the team. “The final is special… you don’t get many chances to play in finals. Hopefully everyone will support us on Sunday.”
‘Nirantar’ Nitish turns a new page for Rajya Sabha after decades as Bihar CM
New Delhi: Just four months after leading NDA to landslide election victory bihar electionchief minister Nitish Kumar Once again rewriting his political script.The veteran leader on Thursday announced his decision to resign from the state’s top job and head to the Rajya Sabha, marking a major shift for a politician who has dominated Bihar’s politics for most of the past two decades.Nitish said he had long aspired to be a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislative Assembly and the Assembly.“You have given me your trust and support for over two decades and it is on the basis of this trust that we serve Bihar and all of you wholeheartedly,” he said on his social media account.“It is the power of your faith and support that enables Bihar to present new development and dignity today. For this, I have expressed my gratitude to you many times in the past.”The decision comes less than four months after Nitish led the NDA to a landslide victory in the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, securing a huge majority of 202 seats. He was sworn in as chief minister for a record tenth term on November 20, 2025, a milestone that reaffirmed his control over the state’s politics.
The 75-year-old, seen by many as a strong supporter of the election, has resigned as chief minister. He is expected to be transferred to the Bundestag when the new term begins on April 9, when the outgoing member of Parliament retires.In the NDA, the transition is seen as an orchestrated changing of the guard that could see a new leadership team take office ahead of the next political cycle. With Nitish entering the Assembly, the door has opened for the BJP to appoint its own chief minister of Bihar for the first time.Potential successors include Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Minister Nityanand Rai, both of whom are seen as strong contenders if the BJP takes over the top job.Meanwhile, speculation is mounting about a possible political debut of Nitish’s son Nishant Kumar. Some within the coalition believe he could be considered for deputy first minister, but it is unclear what his role or responsibilities would be.
“Niranthal” Nitish
Nitish Kumar has been a central figure in Bihar politics for years, repeatedly returning to the top despite questions, criticism and alliance changes.His “Sushasan Babu” persona, associated with development, stability and the restoration of law and order, has long shaped his political identity, although critics say policy stagnation and political fatigue have begun to dim that luster.However, in 2025, the verdict was unequivocal.Despite being knocked out several times, Nitish once again emerged victorious with what supporters called a “lion majority”, reaffirming his place at the center of state politics.
From engineer to political strategist
Nitish Kumar was born in Bakhtiarpur on March 1, 1951. He had no political ambitions at the beginning. He trained as an electrical engineer and eventually found his calling in public life.His political roots were formed during the Emergency imposed in India during the Indira Gandhi era. Nitish was one of thousands of people imprisoned during that period as part of the movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan.He won the first assembly election from Harnaut in 1985 and briefly supported Lalu Prasad Yadav in 1989 before quitting, beginning a contest that would define Bihar politics for decades.1994 was a decisive turning point. In the first major rebellion against Lalu under George Fernandez, fourteen MPs broke away from the government. Industry insiders generally believe Nitish is the strategist behind the move.The group soon formed the Samata Party, marking a decisive change in his political trajectory.Two years later, Nitish made another major move, forming an alliance with the BJP in 1996, the beginning of a partnership that would be repeatedly formed, broken and reformed over the next three decades.He later entered Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet, holding the Ministry of Railways and other posts between 1998 and 2004. His administrative approach and emphasis on law and order gradually helped him develop a technocratic image.In 2000, he made his first attempt to become chief minister, but the NDA lacked the numbers and his government collapsed in just seven days.
The times that shaped Bihar
Nitish returned to power in 2005, ending Lalu Prasad Yadav’s 15-year rule – a period often called “jungle rule” by critics.Victory in 2010 further cemented his political dominance and established him as the face of developmental politics in the state.Women-centred welfare initiatives, including bicycles, uniforms, bans, employment and cash transfers, became key pillars of his governance model, creating what some scholars have called a maternal welfare state.However, Nitish Kumar’s political career depends not only on governance but also on a dramatic shift in alliances.Since 1999, he has repeatedly switched between the National Democratic Alliance and opposition parties such as the UPA or the Mahagathbandhan.His frequent adjustments earned him the nickname “Partu Kumar”.Now, with his transfer to the Bundestag, another chapter in this long and unpredictable political journey begins.
Wayne County death update: Schools, medical centers closed out of ‘abundance of caution’, ‘suspect at large’
The Wayne County School District and Wayne Community Health Center announced closures after officials urged Torrey residents to Utahtaking extra precautions after several deaths were reported. Sevier County officials are asking for the public’s help in locating suspicious vehicle Get involved.
Anyone with information about the 2022 white Subaru Outback with license plate U560YF in the past 24 hours is asked to call the dispatch center at 435-896-6471. Officials believe the vehicle was involved in suspicious death in Wayne County.
Learn more | Wayne County death update: What happened to Tori? Residents receive emergency alert
Wayne County closed
The Wayne County School District said its schools will be closed Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6. “Due to ongoing events in the county, out of an abundance of caution and concern for student and public safety, schools will be closed tomorrow and Friday. We will also have counselors available to support students when classes resume next week. We will provide updates as events develop,” the district wrote on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Wayne Community Health Center also announced it will remain closed Thursday, as will the Kazan Memorial Clinic. “Due to recent events, the WCHC and Kazan Memorial Clinic will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, March 5. We appreciate your understanding,” it wrote on Facebook.
Anyone in Wayne County who sees something shocking is urged to call their dispatch hotline: 1-800-356-8757.
Learn more | Wayne County suspect update: Police release first details after 3 deaths; ‘White Subaru Outback’
Latest updates
AZ Intel X reported that a press release obtained through BNO News confirmed that at least three people died at two locations in Wayne County, Utah. The post added: “Multiple scenes in Torrey and surrounding areas are being investigated and suspects are at large.”
According to the release, on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 4, the task force received a call that two women had died on the hiking trail. During the course of the investigation, a third victim, also a woman, was found dead inside a residence in Wayne County.
This remains an “active investigation,” the release said, adding that “the suspect is at large.” Tory residents are urged to lock their doors, stay at home or with others and remain alert to their surroundings.
‘The conflict has reached our backyard’: Rahul Gandhi takes aim at center after Iranian warship sinks in Indian Ocean
Rahul Gandhi The Center targeted the Iranian warship IRIS Dena after a US submarine sank it on Thursday, warning that the conflict in West Asia posed a serious risk to India’s energy security.Rahul Gandhi posted on X that the world is entering a turbulent phase and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “saying nothing”.Rahul Gandhi wrote: “The world has entered a turbulent phase. Rough seas are coming. India’s oil supplies are threatened and more than 40% of our imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The situation is worse for LPG and LNG.”Rahul also mentioned the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, which recently took part in the Indian Navy’s Milan naval exercise before returning across the Indian Ocean.“The conflict has spread to our backyard with an Iranian warship sinking in the Indian Ocean. But the prime minister said nothing,” he said.Rahul called for stronger leadership in the face of rising geopolitical tensions and said the country needed a firm and stable response.“In times like this, we need a steady hand on the wheel,” he wrote.“Instead, India has a compromised prime minister who has given up our strategic autonomy,” Rahul said.Earlier this week, the U.S. Navy sank the Iranian Mochi-class frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean using a Mark-48 torpedo launched from a submarine, an attack that reportedly killed dozens of sailors.Iran strongly condemned the attack, calling it an “atrocity at sea” and warning the United States it would “deeply regret” the precedent set by attacking the ship. Iranian officials also noted that the frigate recently visited India as part of naval activities related to the Milan exercises.The incident comes amid a rapidly expanding conflict in West Asia, with Iran, Israel and other parts of the region firing missiles, drones and rockets at each other.Space jellyfish: A SpaceX rocket launch created a “space jellyfish” effect in the Florida sky during the Falcon 9 mission carrying 29 Starlink satellites
Early risers on Florida’s Space Coast were treated to something unusual Wednesday morning. As the first rays of dawn pass over the Atlantic Ocean, a rocket blasts into the sky, leaving behind a luminous cloud that looks almost otherworldly. For several minutes, the shape floated across the sky, like a giant jellyfish floating in the air. People on the beach and in nearby neighborhoods stopped to watch. The spectacle followed the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that sent dozens of Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit.For SpaceX, the launch itself was routine. Some observers describe it as magical; Others said it looked like something out of science fiction.
SpaceX Falcon 9 launch Transform Florida’s dawn into a colorful spectacle
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 5:52 am. Photographed at the Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on March 4, Eastern Time. The mission carried 29 Starlink satellites, which are part of a growing constellation designed to provide global internet coverage. Shortly after launch, some strange things started happening.Huge plumes spread across the sky. bright. Colorful. Almost translucent. The expanding exhaust cloud takes on the shape of a jellyfish drifting in the water.People watching from the ground saw a glowing head trailing long stripes. Photographers from Florida’s “Space Coast” captured the moment vividly. Images showed rocket plumes flashing pink, blue and white in the dark predawn sky.
The science behind the ‘jellyfish’ effect
Experts say the effect occurs when sunlight hits a rocket’s exhaust plume while the ground below remains in darkness. The rocket quickly climbs into the upper atmosphere, and the sun is shining even before it reaches the surface.The rocket plume is thus illuminated. Gases expand rapidly in the thin upper atmosphere. They unfold into a wide shape. Almost like a glowing cloud. When sunlight hits clouds from just the right angle, the results look spectacular. Sometimes like a spiral or like a glowing bubble.Occasionally, they float across the sky like giant jellyfish. It looks unusual, but it has been seen before during early morning or dusk rocket launches. Still, it surprises people every time it happens.
Falcon 9 smoke shocks everyone
The Space Coast community has a long relationship with rocket launches. When the launch was scheduled, many local photographers woke up before dawn.Minutes after the Falcon 9 took off, several photographers captured stunning photos. As the rocket climbs toward orbit, the expanding plume fills the sky with bright, pastel colors. The photos quickly circulated online. Social media users compared the shape to everything from sea creatures to alien spacecraft. Some viewers admitted they initially had no idea what they were watching.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster reaches 25th flight milestone
While the sky show drew attention, the mission itself also marked an important milestone for SpaceX. The Falcon 9 first-stage booster used for launch completed its 25th flight. This number is important. Reusability has become a key part of SpaceX’s strategy, and flying a booster so many times was once thought to be impossible.After placing the satellite into orbit, the booster returned to Earth as planned. About eight minutes after launch, it landed on the company’s drone ship, “A Shortfall of Gravitas.” The rocket carries 29 Starlink satellites, which will join the thousands already orbiting Earth. Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite internet system designed to provide high-speed connectivity to remote and underserved areas.The network has expanded rapidly over the past few years. New launches occur regularly, sometimes several times a week. That speed means rocket launches have become almost routine on Florida’s Space Coast.
Sachin shocked on Allen blitz: ‘It was done before we settled’
New Delhi: Great batting Sachin Tendulkar Even though his son Arjun Tendulkar’s wedding is taking place in Mumbai, he is closely following the ongoing 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Amid the celebrations ahead of Arjun’s wedding to Saaniya Chandhok, Tendulkar still found time to react to the most explosive hit in World Cup history – Finn Allen’s stunning century that helped New Zealand reach the final.
Allen notched a staggering unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls in Wednesday’s semi-final against South Africa at the Eden Gardens. His blitzkrieg strike rate of over 300 runs helped New Zealand reach the target of 170 runs in just 12.5 overs. The innings shocked fans and pundits alike, with Tendulkar quickly taking to social media to praise the opener’s exceptional effort.“Semi-finals usually leave you on the edge of your seat. Today, Finn Allen finished before we even sat down! What a match!” Tendulkar wrote on X, summing up the one-sided nature of the contest.Allen’s century is now the fastest century in T20 and ODI World Cup history, surpassing the previous records held by Chris Gayle and Glenn Maxwell. Chris Gayle hit a 47-ball hundred during the 2016 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and Glenn Maxwell hit a 40-ball hundred during the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup.The New Zealand opener hit 10 fours and eight sixes in his stunning knock, setting the joint-highest number of boundaries in a T20 World Cup innings alongside Brendon McCullum’s famous 123 against Bangladesh in 2012.
Cody Khork GoFundMe: Fundraiser to help Donna, mom of fallen U.S. soldier, ‘unimaginable time…’
Capt has started a GoFundMe. Cody HawkThe 35-year-old Winter Haven, Florida, native was identified as one of six U.S. soldiers killed by an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait during Operation Epic Fury. Hawk, like five other Soldiers, is assigned to the Army Reserve’s 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa.
“There have been so many people reaching out to support Captain Cody Hawk’s family during this unimaginable time. His mother, Donna, would never have arranged this on her own, but I was able to convince her to let the community help,” to fund me read.
The fundraiser added that all funds raised will be donated directly to Hawke’s mother and his family to cover travel expenses beyond the cost of the military receiving his body. The funds will also help family members living out of state travel and reunite with immediate family members.
“Without getting too personal, his mother, Donna, and family are so deserving of anything you are willing to contribute and would be grateful. Thank you for the overwhelming love and compassion you have shown us during this time!” the page said.
As of this writing, $17,571 of the $28,000 goal has been raised.
Hope Kay, who started the GoFundMe for Hawk, wrote in a Facebook post, “There have been many people reaching out to Capt. Cody Hawk’s family. With his mother’s permission and support, I have set up the only official GofundMe to directly support Cody and his immediate family during this time. Thank you for the outpouring of love and compassion.”
Who were the other U.S. soldiers killed in the attack?
The other U.S. service members killed in the attack were Sgt. first class Noah Tietjens42, Bellevue, Neb.; Sgt. first class Nicole Love39, White Bear Lake, Minn.; and Sgt. Declan CodyAge 20, West Des Moines, Iowa; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Mazen54, of Sacramento, Calif.; Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa.
Learn more | Mamdani was scolded by Iranian New Yorkers for his “illegal war” remarks: “You are human garbage”
The drone strike that killed the soldier came a day after the United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran, which followed with retaliatory attacks. The operation resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and U.S. President Donald Trump announced in truth social postcalling him “one of the most evil men in history.”