NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Education will launch a nationwide drive to identify and enroll out-of-school and dropout children through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) as part of efforts to achieve 100 per cent Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) from pre-primary to secondary level by 2030.Data from the Periodic Labor Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24 shows that nearly 20 million children in the 14-18 age group are not attending school. About 11% of children in grades three to eight remain out of school, while more than 5 million students fail board exams every year.Officials in the school education and literacy department said open schooling would be used to bring these children back into the education system, especially those who are unable to attend regular schools due to economic, social or geographical reasons. NIOS offers flexible admissions, multiple attempts to pass, on-demand exams, and career courses, and its certifications are recognized equally with other boards.The ministry will work with states and union territories to identify out-of-school children using district-level survey data and enroll them in schools through targeted outreach. A program called ‘NIOS Mitra’ will be launched to support this effort. Trained counselors will identify children, counsel families and assist with admissions and academic guidance, focusing on marginalized and disadvantaged populations.To improve services, the Ministry plans to expand the network of NIOS centers. Currently, NIOS has more than 10,800 learning and examination centers across the country. The government aims to establish at least one center in every neighbourhood.PM SHRI Schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Government Higher Secondary Schools will be used as NIOS centers to support admissions and examinations.
IPL 2206: KKR suffer blow from Matheesha Pathirana, fresh details revealed
Matheesha Pathirana will miss first-round match intense pulsed light In 2026, he will serve as the head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Abhishek Nayar It was confirmed at a pre-season press conference on Friday that the Pacer may go on sale from mid-April. Patialana has been ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup due to a calf strain and is undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the Sri Lanka Cricket Association. He played just three games against Australia before being helped off.
KKR awaits fitness updates
Providing an update on the young fast bowler’s recovery, Nayar said: “The latest we know is that he has obviously been with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and they have rehabilitated him and our latest communication is hopefully sometime in mid-April and they think he will be fit for the game. That’s what we know at the moment.”
Sri Lanka Cricket releases IPL 2026 NOC update
Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissankaand Kamindu MendisPlayers who successfully complete the fitness test have been issued NOC to participate in the IPL. Nuwan Suchhara’s eligibility for a no-objection certificate (NOC) to play in the IPL will depend on his fitness test results.“Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga and Matheesha Pathirana, who have requested the National Olympic Committee for IPL 2026, are yet to undergo fitness tests as they are still undergoing rehabilitation to recover from injuries. The respective players will be tested after completing their rehabilitation programmes,” SLC said in a statement on Friday.
“First of all, it’s a huge blow” – Nayar
Nayar admits Harhit’s absence is a major setback for KKR:“First of all, it’s a big blow because Harshit has been an integral part of this team over the past few seasons, including the Championship season. He has grown a lot as a cricketer over the years, so it won’t be easy to replace him.”He added that the team management is actively exploring alternatives: “Having said that, we have looked at a number of bowlers over the past few days. We are trying to assess with the help of the leadership group who is suitable and who can perform to the best of their ability in this role.”“We’re still evaluating this and haven’t made a decision yet, but hopefully we’ll find someone soon who can make a difference for this team.”
Bravo backs depth despite setback
KKR Mentor Dwayne Bravo The tone is confident: “In any tournament for any team, once you lose some key bowling options, these are things you plan for but are also things you have to accept. The good thing about Indian cricket, especially at the moment, is there is a lot of depth.”Bravo pointed to a few Indian pacers who could step up: “So, as the coach mentioned, we will definitely be looking for some guys to fill that void – like Umran Malik.”“These guys have also represented the national team and played in the IPL as well. They are young and exciting talents. So, personally, I am excited to work with this group of fast bowlers,” he added.
Fact check: Did Chuck Norris die of a heart attack? The truth behind myocardial infarction claims
Chuck NorrisThe former martial arts champion and 1980s action hero known for his roles in “Code of Silence,” “Missing in Action,” “Delta Force” and “Walker, Texas Ranger” died Thursday. His family confirmed that the 86-year-old was peaceful when he died. TMZ previously reported on Thursday that Norris hospitalized In Hawaii due to a “medical emergency.”
“While we wish to keep this matter private, please know that he is surrounded by family and is at peace,” the statement read.
Chuck Norris cause of death update
This has not been confirmed by the Norris family or any authority cause of death. Some fans claimed the actor suffered a heart attack. Fans said the 86-year-old was hospitalized in 2017 due to a myocardial infarction.
Read more: Chuck Norris Family: Who are his wife Gena O’Kelley, ex Dianne Holechek and children?
What is the truth?
There has been no official confirmation of Chuck Norris’ heart attack, either now or in 2017. There are no reliable reports, medical records, news articles or statements from Chuck Norris, his family or representatives indicating that he suffered a heart attack in 2017.
Where the rumor might have come from
In late 2017 and early 2018, several fake news-style websites and clickbait pages (especially in non-English languages) posted hoax stories claiming that “Chuck Norris suffered a massive heart attack” or “Chuck Norris is in critical condition after a heart attack.”
Such an incident has never been reported by a major U.S. or international news outlet.
Chuck Norris himself has never mentioned any heart-related health issues in interviews, books, or social media posts at the time or since.
What does Chuck Norris’ family say?
“While we wish to keep this matter private, please know that he is surrounded by family and at peace,” the family said in a statement posted on social media.
“He lived his life with faith, purpose and an unwavering commitment to those he loved. Through his work, discipline and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on the lives of many.
“While we are heartbroken, we are deeply grateful for his life and the unforgettable moments we were privileged to share with him. The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is sincerely grateful.
“You were more than just fans to him, you were his friends. We know many of you have heard about his recent hospitalization and we are so grateful for your prayers and support.
“As we grieve this loss, we ask that you all protect our family’s privacy during this time. Thank you for loving him with us.”
Donald Trump administration sues Harvard University over Jewish students’ civil rights, seeking to recover billions in public funds
The Trump administration is suing Harvard University, accusing the school of violating the civil rights of Jewish students, the latest escalation in a yearlong campaign against the Ivy League school.The lawsuit alleges that Harvard failed to protect its Jewish and Israeli students by ignoring hostility on campus and refusing to enforce anti-harassment rules. The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal district court in Massachusetts, seeks to force the school to comply with civil rights laws and recover millions in taxpayer funds Harvard received for allegedly violating the law, the Wall Street Journal reported.Harvard currently will receive more than $2.6 billion in grants from the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies, according to the lawsuit.Attorney General Pam Bondi said that since Hamas’ attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, “too many of our educational institutions have allowed anti-Semitism to flourish on their campuses, including Harvard University.”Harvard University did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The school has previously said it has invested significant efforts in addressing anti-Semitism on campus, including tightening rules and disciplinary measures for violators.The lawsuit is the latest in the Trump administration’s strategy to target Harvard and other elite universities. Last spring, the U.S. government froze $2.2 billion in federal research funding at Harvard University over accusations that the university tolerated anti-Semitism on campus. The government has since threatened its tax-exempt status, targeted its ability to recruit international students and investigated its acceptance of foreign donations.Last September, Harvard sued the government and won a key court case. A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s funding cuts were unconstitutional and ordered that the funding be restored. In December, the government appealed. Harvard said it remains confident in its legal status.Harvard remains heavily reliant on federal funding, and President Trump has many levers at his disposal to undermine the university.In February of this year, Trump posted on social media that he would seek $1 billion in damages from the school. Days later, the Defense Department severed academic ties with Harvard, and the Justice Department later sued Harvard, saying it failed to provide admissions documents it needed in its investigation into whether the school discriminated against white applicants.
IPL 2026: Where is RCB bowler Yash Dayal?
New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has started preparations for the Indian Premier League 2026 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. While some of India’s top stars are Virat Kohliwere all present, with bowler Yash Dayal remaining a notable absentee. He was not found with the group on March 18, the first day of camp, and has been missing in action.
Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, Suyash Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are some of the celebrities who are preparing for their title defense under the leadership of the coaching staff. Andy FlowerBut Dayal’s mysterious absence has raised eyebrows.Pictures of the RCB team bus are circulating on social media, but Dayal is not seen in these pictures either. Additionally, multiple social media posts from the team made no mention of the bowler.In a video uploaded by his wife Shweta Pundir on Instagram, Dayal can be seen taking the fall from the side-arm specialist but he seems to be staying away from the action in Bengaluru.
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TimesofIndia.com contacted several RCB officials for an update on Dayal’s situation, but they are yet to respond. The team retained the cricketer for Rs 5 crore ahead of the mini-auction held in Jeddah last year but faced a backlash due to the legal proceedings against the cricketer at the time.Dayal last played a competitive match in June 2025 when he represented RCB in the IPL final against Kings XI Punjab. The bowler has retired from cricket since then. Uttar Pradesh did not consider him throughout the domestic season. It is understood that the BCCI Center of Excellence had contacted the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) in September last year to check on the bowler’s condition, but officials failed to get in touch with him. A UPCA official told TimesofIndia.com: “The case was against him, so he was not considered for selection. I remember a call from the CoE in September to inquire about him, but we could not establish any contact with Yash Dayal. He had even changed his phone number. Even his childhood coach did not know his whereabouts.” It remains to be seen whether he will represent RCB in this year’s IPL.
Trump administration takes Harvard to court, seeking billions in damages over alleged anti-Semitic campus bias
The U.S. government has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing the Ivy League school of failing to adequately protect Jewish and Israeli students on campus, according to court documents filed Friday.
The legal action marks a major escalation as the Trump administration seeks to recover billions of dollars in taxpayer funds tied to the university.
Reuters said that according to the lawsuit, Harvard University was deliberately indifferent to hostilities on its campus and deliberately refused to enforce campus rules when the victims were Jewish or Israeli.
according to a report wall street journalThe lawsuit, filed Friday in federal district court in Massachusetts, seeks to force the university to comply with civil rights laws while seeking to recover millions in taxpayer funds Harvard allegedly received for violating those rules.
The Wall Street Journal cited the lawsuit as saying that the document further stated that Harvard University is currently expected to receive more than $2.6 billion in grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies.
‘Virat situation will be slightly different’, Kohli warns ahead of IPL 2026
New Delhi: Former India all-rounder Irrfan Pathan Kohli believes Kohli’s shift to fewer formats could affect his T20 rhythm, especially after the break.“This time things will be different for Kohli. He will play for the first time intense pulsed light Quit Test cricket altogether. He only plays one format. It’s not easy for anyone,” Pathan said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“But he has scored goals and his performance has been outstanding. Even if he comes back after the break, it will not be difficult for him in one-day cricket.”Virat Kohli has joined Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2026, but this season might be slightly different for him. Expectations are high as Kohli has now retired from Test cricket and is playing only limited-overs matches, but experts feel the shift could bring new challenges in T20 cricket.“In T20S, when you play as an aggressor and don’t get a lot of minutes, it will be challenging. But he has faced a lot of challenges before. I am excited to see how he will move forward this season,” he added.Pathan also highlighted how Kohli’s change in batting style last season played a major role in RCB’s success. Instead of dominating the innings, Kohli played a more attacking role, which helped the team win the title.“Virat Kohli and RCB are inseparable. He started with RCB and is still playing for them. He performed brilliantly. When he was captain, it was also the prime period of his career with many wonderful performances,” he pointed out.“When they won last season, his shooting percentage also went up. He didn’t play the main role, but played the role of an attacker. That was a very big factor. Even this time, they will expect him to maintain the same form.”
Coffin falling from the sky: The 1900 mystery of “Princess Bagiz” | World News
On November 10, 1899, a huge storm hit the Baltic Sea and destroyed a large section of the cliffs in Badgiz, Poland. The storm caused a hollow old oak log to tumble onto the beach. Inside this “coffin that fell from the sky” was the skeleton of an unidentified woman, now known as “Princess Bagiz”. A study led by Marta Chmiel-Chrzanowska conducted a detailed bioarchaeological analysis of her skeletal remains, published in the journal Archeology Newsletter (2024)The age of the coffin was confirmed using dendrochronology (tree-ring dating), which showed she was between 25 and 30 years old and about 145 centimeters tall. The tomb is unique because of its state of preservation. She was found wrapped in cowhide and seated on a rare four-legged wooden stool, suggesting she may have held a high social status in the Welbach culture. Although her skeletal remains darkened after exposure to tannins in oak logs, her wealth and 2024 tree-ring data confirmed she lived during the Roman Iron Age around AD 120, correcting earlier carbon dating errors caused by her fish-heavy diet.
Thrilling discovery of a coffin falling from the sky
The discovery began with a natural disaster, not an excavation. In 1899, a severe storm hit Bagicz (formerly Bodenhagen) on the Baltic coast; the storm caused severe erosion of the Baltic cliffs on which Bagicz is located. One of the objects of interest at the site is a large hollow oak log that actually slid from the earth onto the beach. Locals recognized the “coffin that fell from the sky” as a corpse and a forensic investigation was launched because the body was so well preserved that it was initially thought to have been recently buried.
Why does the skull still turn black?
according to MagazineThe bones and organic matter immediately surrounding the body are dark brown or black. The body was not burned; instead, a chemical reaction occurred between the protein components of the body and the high tannin content of the wet oak logs, which preserved the structure of the body. In fact, for more than two thousand years, the body’s natural “tanning” function served to preserve bone structure.
Who is she – “Princess Bagiz”
Scientific analysis provides a clear picture of this woman’s life:
- Age and height: She was at least 25 years old at the time of her death, but possibly as young as 30. She is approximately 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) tall.
- Health: In addition to her noble status, her remains showed evidence of osteoarthritis and physical stress, suggesting that despite her wealth, she may have been engaged in heavy physical labor.
- Oxhide Wrap: She was also covered in cowhide, which served as a shroud over her body and was placed inside a single (single piece) oak coffin.
A hallmark of Wielbark culture
The high-grade grave goods found in the logs indicate the person’s status – hence the word “princess”. A general description of the grave goods can be found at Journal of Heidelberg University. Grave goods descriptions include: bronze bracelets, fibulas (decorative clasps), amber necklaces, a unique wooden stool with pillows and a leather bag containing bone needles.
Mysteries of the Szczecin National Museum
“Princess Bagiz” now occupies a large part of the National Museum in Szczecin, Poland. The story of the princess is an important part of European history, helping to illustrate the complex trade routes among the Germanic tribes along the Baltic Sea during the Roman Empire’s greatest period.
‘We have looked at a few bowlers’: KKR reveals replacement plan for injured Rana
New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a major setback ahead of IPL 2026 with key pacer Harshit Rana missing the entire season due to a knee injury. The young fast bowler suffered an injury during a T20 World Cup warm-up match and has since undergone surgery, leaving the team scrambling to fill the void.
Head coach Abhishek Nayar admitted that Rana’s absence will be difficult to handle given his importance to the team in recent seasons.“This is a big blow because Harshit Rana has been an integral part of this team over the past few seasons as well as the championship season. He has really grown as a cricketer over the past year,” Nayyar told reporters at the pre-season press conference.“We will always miss Harshit Rana and replacing him will not be easy. But in the past few days, we have looked at a few bowlers to see who is suitable and who can bring out the best in this role. Hopefully, we will get a call in a few days,” he added.KKR tried out several pacers in training to find suitable replacements.
Are there more injury issues for KKR?
To make matters worse, Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana is also recovering from an injury but is yet to be cleared for the match, adding to KKR’s concerns.However, there is some positive news about spinner Varun Chakravarthy. Despite his poor performance in the T20 World Cup, captain Ajinkya Rahane has backed him to make a comeback.“I don’t think there is any problem with Varun’s bowling ability… In the T20 World Cup, the opposition batsmen bowled very well against him (Varun Chakravarty). Let’s give the credit to them instead of talking about Varun,” Rahane said.“I think the 10 days of rest really helped him, especially after one high-intensity match followed by another high-intensity match,” Rahane added.With the season about to begin, KKR will hope to overcome these challenges soon.
‘Solidarity with Afghanistan’: India sends 2.5 tonnes of medical aid to Kabul after Pakistan attacks rehabilitation center
New Delhi: India on Friday sent a consignment of 2.5 tonnes of medical supplies and equipment to Kabul, the Afghan capital, after a deadly airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center killed more than 400 people.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the shipment contained emergency medicines, disposable medical supplies, kits and equipment to support the treatment and recovery of those injured in the March 16 attack.“India stands with the people of Afghanistan and will continue to provide all possible humanitarian support at this difficult time,” the MEA said in a statement. An airstrike hit a large drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul late Monday night, reportedly destroying much of the 2,000-bed complex. Local authorities said at least 400 people were killed and nearly 250 injured. A huge explosion was heard around 9:00 pm local time and billowing smoke could be seen in the nearby Shahr-e-Naw and Wazir Akbar Khan areas. The incident comes as tensions rise on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan has carried out repeated airstrikes in Afghanistan in response to cross-border attacks by militants it says are sheltered by the Taliban government. Afghan officials, meanwhile, have described the incursions as violations of their sovereignty, with senior leaders emphasizing the responsibility of all citizens to defend the country.