The post The Science of Finger Length and Brain Development appeared first on The Edge Media.
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The study, which involved research on 225 young children, found that boys with longer index fingers tended to have a larger head circumference. A larger head circumference is often associated with a brain that develops rapidly. This discovery suggests that specific developmental traits are established even before birth.
The length of the fingers depends on which hormones are more prevalent before birth. While a larger brain is often seen as a sign of quick intelligence and good memory, researchers noted that evolution played a role over millions of years as the human body adapted. Interestingly, while high estrogen levels might lead to a larger brain, it can also mean the body may have to work harder to fight certain diseases in the future.
How to check yourself:
* If your first finger (index) is long, your brain may have grown very rapidly during childhood.
* If your ring finger is longer, it may indicate a natural aptitude for sports or high-intensity physical activities.
* Your fingers are essentially a small “report card” of your biological development.
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]]>The post New Protocol: All Six Stanzas of Vande Mataram Mandatory Before National Anthem appeared first on The Edge Media.
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For the first time, the Ministry has defined a specific protocol for singing “Vande Mataram”. These rules apply to official programs such as the arrival of the President, the hoisting of the National Flag, and speeches by Governors.
In such instances, all six stanzas of the National Song, which have a total duration of three minutes and ten seconds, must be performed. This order was officially released on January 28.
The guidelines further state that the school day must begin with the singing of the National Song. The Ministry emphasized that whenever the National Song is played, everyone present is required to stand in an attentive posture to show respect. However, an exception is made for cinema or documentaries; if the National Song is played as part of a film or newsreel, the audience is not expected to stand.
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]]>The post Opposition Moves No-Confidence Motion Against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>The opposition has leveled serious allegations against the Speaker, primarily focusing on the suppression of the Leader of the Opposition’s voice during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address and the forced suspension of eight members. In response to these developments, sources indicate that Om Birla has decided on ethical grounds not to occupy the Speaker’s chair until the matter is resolved.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat has confirmed that proceedings will follow established rules. The notice was handed over to Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh by a delegation including Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi, Chief Whip K. Suresh, and MP Mohammad Javed, among others. While members from the Congress, SP, DMK, and RJD have signed the notice, notable absences include the signatures of Rahul Gandhi and members of the TMC.
Four Major Allegations by the Opposition:
* February 2: Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was allegedly prevented from completing his speech during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.
* February 3: Eight MPs were suspended for the remainder of the session, a move the opposition describes as punishment for exercising democratic rights.
* Nishikant Dubey Case: The notice mentions objectionable remarks made against former Prime Ministers without naming Nishikant Dubey.
* Misuse of Office: The opposition rejected the Speaker’s claim that Congress members intended to cause an “untoward incident” near the Prime Minister’s seat, calling such accusations a blatant misuse of a constitutional position.
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]]>The post Strict Crackdown on Cyber Fraud, Says Amit Shah appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Shah was addressing a conference organized with the support of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. He stated that the mule account detection system developed by the ministry should be adopted by all banks to prevent misuse of financial channels by criminals.
Highlighting the growing threat, the Home Minister said that in the country one person falls victim to cyber fraud every 37 seconds. On average, about 90 individuals are cheated every hour. As digital transactions continue to rise rapidly, the risk associated with cyber crimes is also increasing. He noted that these crimes are emerging in an organized manner and criminals are adopting new technologies, making collective action essential.
Shah also instructed police officials to ensure adequate staffing at the 1930 cyber helpline call centers so that complaints can be handled promptly and effectively.
In a separate development, the central government has tightened regulations for social media platforms. Under the new rules, any photo or video created using artificial intelligence must carry a clear label indicating that it is AI generated. If any unlawful or misleading content is uploaded on these platforms, companies will be required to remove it within three hours of receiving information about it.
The new regulations will come into effect from February 20. Non compliance may invite strict action and financial penalties. The government stated that these measures aim to enhance transparency, prevent misuse of technology and strengthen the country’s cyber security framework.
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]]>The post New Zealand Clinch Victory Over Afghanistan in Champions Trophy Opener appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Afghanistan, after being invited to bat, posted a fighting total of 183 runs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a steady knock of 27 runs, while Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah tried to build partnerships in the middle overs. However, the Afghan batting lineup struggled against disciplined bowling from New Zealand.
Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry kept the pressure on with sharp pace and accurate lines. Ferguson struck crucial blows in the middle overs, while Henry provided early breakthroughs. Their combined effort restricted Afghanistan to a modest total despite brief resistance from the lower order.
In response, New Zealand approached the chase calmly. Will Young anchored the innings with a composed 65 off 42 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes. His positive intent ensured that the required run rate never became a concern.
Tom Latham supported him brilliantly, scoring a fluent 74. He rotated the strike effectively and punished loose deliveries, guiding the innings through the middle phase. The pair built a crucial partnership that shifted the momentum firmly in New Zealand’s favor.
Although Afghanistan’s bowlers managed to pick up a few wickets and attempted to apply pressure with tight spells, the target proved insufficient. The New Zealand batters maintained control and completed the chase comfortably with five wickets in hand.
The victory provides New Zealand with a strong start to the tournament and boosts their confidence ahead of tougher encounters. Afghanistan showed flashes of promise but will need greater consistency with both bat and ball to challenge top sides in the competition.
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]]>The post No Concern Over 500 Billion Dollar Imports From US in Five Years, Says Piyush Goyal appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Speaking in New Delhi, Goyal explained that India currently imports goods worth nearly 300 billion dollars from the US. With steady economic expansion, this figure could rise significantly in the coming years. He stated that India’s economy is expected to create demand worth nearly two trillion dollars, making higher imports manageable. He assured that while India welcomes trade, it will remain competitive in the global market.
Goyal emphasized that adequate safeguards have been incorporated in the trade understanding with the United States to protect the interests of Indian farmers and domestic industries. He said that the government has carefully negotiated the terms to ensure that sensitive sectors are not adversely affected.
Referring to the livestock and poultry sectors, the minister noted that India has agreed to certain tariff rate quotas for products such as corn based animal feed, also known as DDGS. He said this decision would strengthen the poultry and animal husbandry sectors by ensuring access to quality feed at competitive prices.
Goyal added that India is negotiating trade agreements with confidence and strength. He pointed out that India could access a market worth 35 trillion dollars in the future through such partnerships. According to him, the objective of these agreements is to expand opportunities for Indian goods and services globally.
The minister further stated that Indian farmers are already exporting agricultural products worth 50 to 55 billion dollars. With improved access to international markets, including the United States, farmers are expected to benefit from better prices and higher demand. He highlighted that Indian products will gain a competitive advantage in the American market, especially when compared with countries that face higher tariffs.
Meanwhile, political reactions have also emerged. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said that the India US trade understanding would boost economic development and create new employment opportunities for youth. He remarked that the agreement was finalized after detailed discussions and careful consideration.
On the other hand, the Communist Party of India Marxist expressed concern, alleging that the agreement could pose risks to the country’s economic sovereignty. The party claimed that excessive concessions may have been granted to the United States. In response, the Prime Minister’s Office clarified that national interests remain paramount in all trade negotiations.
Overall, the government maintains that the proposed expansion in trade with the United States will strengthen India’s economy, generate jobs, support farmers, and safeguard domestic industries while enhancing India’s position in global markets.
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]]>The post No Import Duty on 44 Billion Dollar US Exports to India Says Piyush Goyal appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Goyal explained that around 30 billion dollars worth of Indian goods exported to the United States will continue to face an average tariff of 18 percent, which includes labour-intensive products. However, nearly 12 billion dollars worth of Indian exports, including some agricultural items, will see no change in the existing duty structure.
He further stated that commodities such as steel, aluminium, copper and automobile components are currently subject to uniform tariffs across countries. The United States imposes up to 50 percent duty on these items, but this was introduced as an interim measure. India expects these rates to be reviewed and adjusted in the first phase of the upcoming bilateral trade agreement.
The minister highlighted that the government aims to ensure balanced trade growth while protecting domestic industries. He added that the proposed trade framework will help improve market access and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
No Import Duty on These Products
According to the minister, agricultural products including meat, poultry, dairy products, apples, tree nuts, soya meal, oilseeds, grains, maize, barley, fruits such as bananas and berries, dry fruits, pulses, chickpeas, lentils, pet food, honey and malt will not attract import duty.
India–US Trade Measures to Protect Domestic Industry
Goyal clarified that India remains firm on safeguarding its farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises. He said India will continue to raise concerns at international forums against unfair trade practices and dumping. The country’s approach is to strengthen its manufacturing base while maintaining fair competition.
Boeing and Airbus Orders to Increase
The commerce minister noted that India is likely to increase aircraft purchases from Boeing and Airbus in the future. He said several Indian airlines have already held discussions with the top management of both companies regarding fleet expansion and long-term supply arrangements.
Quota-Based Duty Relief on Apples
Under the proposed trade arrangement, India will provide quota-based duty concessions on apples imported from the United States. Imports beyond the quota limit will attract a 25 percent duty. The quota will be capped at 80,000 metric tonnes annually.
On Tariff Parity
Responding to a query, Goyal said that zero-duty access under the agreement would improve India’s competitiveness in the US market. He pointed out that while the per capita income in the United States is around 90,000 dollars, India’s per capita income stands close to 3,000 dollars, making balanced trade policies essential.
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]]>The post Suryakumar Yadav Single-Handedly Crushes USA appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Batting first after losing early wickets, India found themselves under pressure as the USA bowlers struck regularly. Suryakumar Yadav held one end firmly and counter-attacked with confidence and composure. He scored 84 runs, becoming the top scorer of the match, and reached his half-century in just 25 balls at a strike rate of over 160. His innings included a series of innovative strokes and clean hits that shifted the momentum in India’s favour.
India eventually posted a total of 176 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Apart from Suryakumar, no other Indian batter was able to play a substantial innings, underlining the importance of his contribution.
While chasing the target, the United States began positively but struggled to maintain consistency against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Arshdeep Singh emerged as the standout bowler, picking up three crucial wickets and breaking the back of the American batting lineup. He was well supported by the other bowlers, who kept the run rate in check and applied constant pressure.
The USA were restricted to 147 runs, falling short by 29 runs. This victory marked India’s first-ever T20 international win against the United States and strengthened their position in the tournament.
The match also saw several milestones, including Suryakumar Yadav recording his third consecutive fifty in T20 internationals, highlighting his exceptional form and reliability in pressure situations.
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]]>The post Now TB Medicine Effectiveness Can Be Tested in Just Two Hours appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Until now, patients had to wait several weeks to know whether the prescribed medicines were working, as traditional culture based drug sensitivity tests took a long time. This delay often resulted in incorrect treatment, worsening patient conditions, and an increased risk of drug resistant tuberculosis spreading in the community.
The new POCT method enables doctors to quickly determine whether TB bacteria are responding to antibiotics and anti TB medicines. This allows timely correction of treatment, prevents unnecessary medication, and reduces the chances of complications caused by ineffective drugs.
The research was conducted under the leadership of Dr Arup Mohanty at AIIMS Gorakhpur. The team studied Mycobacterium tuberculosis and extensively drug resistant TB strains using this new technique. Patient samples were analysed, and results were obtained within two hours, compared to several weeks required for conventional tests.
The findings of this study were presented at the 14th annual conference of the Sri Lanka Society for Microbiology, held in Colombo. Researchers and TB specialists from India and other countries participated in the conference. Only 18 research papers were selected for presentation, and this study was among them, highlighting its global relevance and scientific value.
Experts stated that the new test is highly useful for detecting multi drug resistant and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis. AIIMS Gorakhpur is preparing to implement this test in clinical practice soon, which is expected to significantly improve TB diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
According to Dr Bimla Dutta, Director of AIIMS Gorakhpur, this innovation will help identify TB drug resistance in a much shorter time and ensure that patients receive the correct medicines without delay.
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]]>The post India–US Trade Corridor Gets a Boost as Both Nations Finalise Trade Readiness appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Under the proposed arrangement, the United States is expected to reduce import duties on several Indian products. Tariffs on select categories are likely to be lowered from the existing levels of around 50 percent to nearly 18 percent, significantly improving the competitiveness of Indian goods in the American market. In return, India will rationalise duties on a range of US industrial and agricultural imports in line with global trade practices.
The agreement is projected to open an export opportunity worth nearly 30 billion dollars for India. Sectors such as generic pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, ready-made garments, leather goods, footwear, machinery, handicrafts, plastics and rubber products are expected to benefit directly. Agricultural and food items including tea, coffee, spices, fruits, soyabean oil, animal feed, dairy inputs and processed food products are also likely to gain from improved access and lower duties.
Government sources indicated that care has been taken to ensure that the interests of Indian farmers and the domestic agriculture sector are protected. No provision in the understanding is expected to adversely impact dairy or core farming activities. The focus remains on expanding exports while maintaining food security and supporting rural livelihoods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the framework would deepen investment and technology partnerships between the two countries and create new opportunities for farmers, workers and entrepreneurs. He added that the initiative aligns with the Make in India vision and would contribute to job creation and long-term economic growth.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the development as a major achievement under India’s current leadership, stating that it would enhance India’s global standing as a reliable manufacturing and export hub while safeguarding national interests.
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