Photo: Michelle Obama/ Instagram

While modern relationships are complex, modern marriages are tougher! Marriage is all about lifelong partnerships; it isn’t about always being right and winning arguments. Instead, it is about keeping your promise of being together in sickness and in health. And sometimes, it’s about choosing your peace with a wink!Talking on these lines, former US President Barack Obama once dropped this gem on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’, revealing the hilariously simple secret to his rock-solid marriage with Michelle Obama. For the unversed, the Obamas have been married for over 30 years and they have navigated quite a few storms in their relationship together. In the interview, Barack Obama shared how a lightbulb moment transformed Michelle and his marriage dynamics. It’s the kind of marriage advice that feels profound yet practical, reminding us that love grows on humility, humour, and letting go of one’s ego.

Barack Obama’s funny yet true marriage advice

Picture this: Barack Obama, one of the coolest ex-Presidents of the US ever, chilling with Ellen, talking about his family life. When the conversation turns to marriage spats and how he handles them, considering his long partnership with Michelle, Barack leans in with the perfect comedic timing: “After about 15 years, I finally figured out that she’s always right. So surprisingly, we just stopped fighting after that.“The audience erupts into laughter – because who hasn’t been there? It’s peak Obama charm: Self-deprecating, wise, utterly relatable. Michelle’s no pushover; she’s a powerhouse lawyer-turned- former First Lady of the US. Yet Barack’s “happy wife, happy life” philosophy shows his emotional intelligence in action. No grand theories – just simple surrender with a smile. This 2017 clip went viral for good reason: In a world obsessed with “winning” relationships, his approach highlights maturity.

Why it works: The psychology of “Picking your battles”

Barack nailed a truth backed by relationship experts– like John Gottman who in his ‘Love Lab’ studies found that contempt (which is most destructive) erodes love faster than any particular issue, with couples showing these patterns divorcing at 91% accuracy after 15 years. By conceding the “rightness” high ground, he sidesteps power struggles, preserving energy for what matters the most in marriages – i.e. partnership. It is often said that couples who laugh together, stay together and rightly so. It’s not about faking agreement; it’s strategic humility. And, in several earlier interviews, Michelle has confirmed that they still have (healthy) fights, but it seems like Barack’s smart tactics diffuse the tension instantly.

Real-life lessons to learn from the Obamas’

The Obamas aren’t perfect – they’ve shared their marriage therapy stories, White House stresses, and empty nest transitions in several earlier interviews. Yet Barack’s quip reveals core habits:1. Humour works as glue in marriages: Laugh at yourself first. Michelle calls him her “rock,” but credits shared giggles for survival.2. Practice daily surrender: After 15 years (post- US presidency now 30+ years), wisdom compounds. Small “yes, dears” help build trust banks.3. Being a team is more important than one’s ego: Bringing up two brilliant daughters (Malia, Sasha) taught the Obamas to compromise. No one’s “always right” but acting like your partner is? That’s a genius hack to keep peace in marriages!What’s your go-to mantra to diffuse arguments in your relationship? Share in the comment section below.

Hiring a house help is a big decision as a lot of things related to your daily life depend on it. From cleaning and cooking to baby-sitting and elderly aid, today house help is not only a luxury in modern India; it’s a necessity. With rising work pressure, busy work schedules and nuclear families. However, inviting someone into your personal space requires more than just a few questions. It’s important to ask the right questions before allowing a stranger in your private space. Here we have curated seven Right questions every person must ask before hiring a house help.What is your previous work experience?First thing first. Experience. It matters the most and we are not just talking in years, but in relevance. Ask the person where they worked before, what their household work was like, and responsibilities. Whether they took care of kids or just cooking or just cleaning. How many people they served. Also, it is important to understand what was the reason that they left their previous job. These questions offer an insight into the stability of the person. Can you provide references/police verification?Now, understand this is a non-skippable question. Always, like always, ask for references from previous employers. If possible insist on police verification, especially if you are living in a metropolis. A number of housing societies now mandate background checks. It’s important to prove the genuinity of the person.What are you comfortable with (exact duties) and working hours?It is important to clarify on the number of working hours and what are the exact duties expected. It’s better to ask before to avoid later conflict. Ask specific questions: Will you only take care of babies or also cook for them? Will you buy groceries and are weekends included? So get clear answers. Are you comfortable with household rules?Every house functions differently. Some families are strict about cooking techniques and some can’t compromise on hygiene and some prefer punctuality. Ask if the person is okay following your house rules. This helps in mutual respect and harmony.What is your salary expectation?Now comes the most important question. What’s your salary expectation? It might feel awkward, but it is of course essential. Discuss monthly payment cycles, festival bonuses and gifts, and annual increments so that there’s no confusion in the future. What’s your leave policy?Again, never say yes before clarifying this question. Leave policy like weekly offs, weekend offs, paid leaves, emergency leaves, and substitute arrangements are important to understand. Are you open to a trial phase?Ask the person if they are okay with one to two weeks paid-trial period. It allows you to assess and understand the quality, punctuality, and compatibility, which is important. During this time, observe their attitude, learning values, hygiene and overall behavior. Hiring a house help is an important decision. It’s important to take time and ask the right questions rather than rushing into it. A well-informed decision can lead to years of support.

Charity is for the rich. If the entire world would live by this policy, there would be very few people to show kindness to those in need. People who get a fixed salary every month or people who have endless responsibilities should read the story of this Swiggy delivery agent who divides his time between doing his job and helping others. Akash Saroj is a 24-year-old delivery agent who has earned a great deal of respect online for his small acts of kindness. He does not have thousands to give and spends long hours on the road earning money for his family, yet he is generous in his actions. He sets aside a part of his earnings to buy food for animals and, while on his delivery routes, remains alert to people who may need help. From feeding a rickshaw puller and getting his broken vehicle repaired to distributing blankets to those sleeping on the footpath, Akash’s thoughtfulness makes one wonder how he manages all this despite limited income and family responsibilities.

“Life as a delivery agent is extremely tough. There is constant pressure, and hardly any time to eat or rest. Calls keep coming in continuously, and work takes priority over everything else because survival depends on it,” says Akash.So from where does he get the money to help people? “I try to manage as much as I can from whatever I earn. While I keep posting on social media, I do not earn anything from there. Most collaboration offers that come to me are related to gambling or betting apps, which I do not want to promote. I do not want to misguide people for money.”Akash says he learnt kindness from his father who worked as a labourer but whom he lost in 2024 after a brief illness. “My father worked as a labourer and had gone to Vijayawada for work. One night, I spoke to him as usual. The next morning, I received a message from one of his friends saying that his condition had suddenly worsened and that I should come immediately.”

“Vijayawada is far from Delhi, and travelling by train would have taken too long. I borrowed money and boarded a flight. When I reached, my father was admitted to a hospital, but there was hardly any treatment being given. I kept asking the doctors what had happened, especially since he had been perfectly fine earlier.” “The doctors told me nothing more could be done. I was completely helpless. I faced many difficulties in Vijayawada—people did not understand Hindi, I had very little money, and often nothing to eat. Whatever little I had was spent on taking care of my father. I requested the doctors to refer him to a hospital in Delhi, but they refused. My heart broke. I kept asking myself if there was no humanity left in the world. In a final attempt, I took a bold decision to bring my father to Delhi. I borrowed ₹2.5 lakh and booked a train ambulance with doctors, emergency care, and all necessary facilities. However, while we were nearing Nagpur, my father’s condition suddenly deteriorated. He passed away on the way.”

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli have set a new benchmark in parenting by embracing shared responsibilities and recalibrating their lives to put family first. Instead of getting lost in the hustle of their careers, they prioritize nurturing their child’s growth, focusing on fostering character and safeguarding their privacy.

When Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli speak about parenting, what stands out is not dramatic emotion or grand declarations. It is the language of adjustment.Both have, in different interviews, acknowledged that becoming parents changed how they organise their time. Careers that once ran at full throttle now seem to move around family schedules. The change does not sound like sacrifice as much as recalibration. Something had to shift, and it seems to be the idea that work must always come first. While speaking to NDTV about raising children with Virat, Anushka explained that they approach parenting together, saying, “We don’t see it as mum and dad duties, but as a family responsibility… For us, it’s important that our child be raised with a very balanced outlook.”Anushka has been direct about one point. Parenting is not a mother’s role with assistance. It is shared responsibility. In a parenting conversation featured by KidsStopPress, she spoke about the kind of environment they want at home, saying, “Love is the underlying factor in our home… You have to create that value structure. We don’t want to raise brats.” The emphasis is not on achievement first, but on character.Virat’s comments about fatherhood lean toward presence rather than performance. His stance becomes most visible when it comes to privacy. During an airport interaction covered by television news channels, he firmly told media filming his family like 7 News, “With my kids I need some privacy. You can’t film without asking me.” The message was not aggression. It was boundary.Presence here does not appear casual. The shared aspect becomes more visible in how they handle exposure. Their decision to keep their children away from constant public gaze is not about secrecy. It is about pace. In interviews connected to her Vogue India feature, Anushka spoke about wanting to raise her child away from unnecessary public attention and allowing them to grow without social media becoming part of their identity too early.That approach suggests something subtle. They are not just responding to situations as they come. They seem to be pre deciding boundaries. What enters their children’s lives. What stays outside. That kind of filtering usually requires two adults aligned rather than one managing alone.There is also a thread in how they talk about values. Speaking again to NDTV, Anushka highlighted that conditioning shapes how a child sees the world, stressing that respect and grounded behaviour matter more than image. The tone in these conversations is not preachy. It sounds more like an ongoing check. A reminder that children absorb environment faster than advice.What is noticeable is the absence of the super parent narrative. Neither presents themselves as having a formula. In a KidsStopPress featured discussion, Anushka spoke about learning along the way, noting that parents have to be prepared for curveballs rather than pretending to have everything figured out. That signals a view of parenting as something that evolves, not something mastered.For many families, the challenge today is not only raising children, but managing the world around them. Information, visibility, comparison, pace. Doing that alone can become overwhelming. Doing it as a shared mental task spreads the responsibility.In that sense, their version of team parenting reads less like division of labour and more like division of awareness. Two adults paying attention, not just to the children, but to the environment shaping them.It is not flashy. It is not presented as revolutionary. But it reflects a shift many parents are quietly making, moving from individual endurance to shared responsibility.

Renting out your property is a major step. It’s a financial decision that can create steady income when managed correctly. But it is extremely important to take care of the legal formalities before taking this important decision. If you choose to ignore these essential steps, you can end up in major legal disputes, complications, or loss of wealth too. Especially if you are a first-time landlord, it’s important to follow a systematic process. Here are five important steps every homeowner should take before renting out their property. Check them carefully:Create a property perfect for rental useThe first step is to make your property rental friendly. It means the house you plan to rent out should be comfortable, welcoming, safe, and presentable. A property which is well maintained attracts better tenants along with fetching good rent. Check all the electrical wiring and plumbing systems are working properly. The gas connections should be checked. Any signs of leakage and dampness repels renters. Installing essential safety measures such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers is strongly recommended. A freshly painted house with clean floors creates a positive impression. Therefore, landlords should document the before and after pictures or videos of the property.Tenant verification/police verificationTenants are strangers. Therefore it is extremely important to get a proper screening done before saying yes. Else in future, there may arise problems such as delayed rent, property misuse, or legal disputes. Landlords should verify the tenant’s identity. Check the government-issued ID cards, get the police verification done and confirm their employment. Also checking previous rental history can help. Get references and check with them. It can help in understanding the behavior and payment habits of the tenant. So background is non-negotiable to avoid future disputes.Draft a clear and legal rental agreement (Rent agreement)A legal rental agreement is another non-negotiable deal. There have been several fraud cases in the past and most of them had no legal rental agreement. A written rental agreement is the proof and also foundation of a secure landlord-tenant relationship. It defines the rights and responsibilities of both parties protected by the law. The agreement should clearly mention the tenure of the lease, monthly rent, security amount, due date, and penalty, if any. At many places, rental agreements are a must. Manage financial aspects Handling financial matters in a systematic manner is also important. It helps in maintaining a healthy rental arrangement. The security deposit should be collected as per local regulations and should be accepted with a receipt. Landlords should issue rent receipts for every payment. Clear guidelines regarding payment of utility bills, maintenance charges, and minor repairs should also be established from the starting. Legal and administrative obligationsLandlords must comply with legal and administrative requirements to remain protected under the law. In many cases, police verification of tenants is not done which is not right. So it is strongly advised. This step adds to security and protects landlords from any legal issues. Along with this, rental income must be declared while filing income tax returns. So landlords need to understand that a house on rent is not just a financial asset but a long-term investment and responsibility is huge. Understanding legal implications is extremely important for both tenants and landlords. By following the above-mentioned steps properly, landlords can minimise the risks and maintain good relationships with tenants.

The organic transitions of childhood seem to fade in an era of perpetual digital engagement. Studies indicate that heavy social media consumption during early teenage years can herald future depressive tendencies, yet for some, it serves as a crucial link to friends and support.

Childhood used to come with natural endings.You left school, and slowly, school left you too. By the time dinner was over, the bad moment had softened. The embarrassing thing you said didn’t echo forever. Tomorrow felt like a fresh page.Now? The day doesn’t close.Whatever happened at 1:15 pm is still alive at 9:40 pm. A comment keeps getting replies. A photo is still collecting reactions. A joke has grown teeth. A small misunderstanding is now a whole thread. Children don’t really “come home” from school anymore. They carry the day with them, lit up in their hands.So no, the question isn’t whether social media matters. It clearly does. The real question is what it’s doing quietly, in the background of childhood, and how adults can help without turning into wardens with WiFi rules.This is where research actually helps us breathe instead of panic. One of the biggest studies tracking children over time is the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, known as the ABCD Study, the largest long term study of brain development and child health in the United States. Using this data, researchers including Dr. Jason Nagata published findings in JAMA Network Open. They followed nearly 12,000 young people and found that higher social media use in early adolescence predicted increases in depressive symptoms later on. The detail that matters is the order. Heavier use often came first, and the dip in mood followed. That doesn’t mean every child who scrolls will struggle. It does mean online life can shape emotional wellbeing for some children, not just mirror what was already happening.Meanwhile, it is not a villain story. Pew Research Center surveys and in particular their report Teens, Social Media and Mental Health indicate the extent to which this world has been mixed. Teenagers claim that social media enables them to stay in touch, post some aspects of themselves, and connect with others who can relate to them. To some children, particularly ones who sense that they are different or isolated, this can be like oxygen. However, according to the studies conducted by Pew, a lot of teens experience pressure, lost sleep or even comparing themselves in a way that can harm them online. Social media can be comfort and stress, sometimes within the same hour.Psychology research published in places like Current Opinion in Psychology and Computers in Human Behavior explains why. These platforms are built around being seen. Likes, comments, follower counts, polished images. It’s an environment where worth feels measured, even if nobody says it out loud. Adults struggle with this. For kids still figuring out who they are, it can slowly scrape at confidence without a dramatic moment anyone can point to.Then there’s sleep, the piece that quietly tips everything. Studies in pediatric and behavioral health research consistently show that evening screen use is tied to shorter sleep and poorer quality sleep. Sleep isn’t just rest. It steadies mood. It gives kids the emotional cushion to deal with things. Without enough of it, everything feels louder. A small disappointment feels huge. A minor social slip turns into tears. Parents often see this before they understand it. A child scrolling late seems unusually sensitive the next day. It looks like moodiness. It’s often a tired brain already overloaded.You can spot all of this in normal evenings. A notification lands and a child’s face shifts. Dinner pauses for “one second.” A group chat tension hangs in the air like an extra person at the table. Confidence doesn’t usually shatter. It drains slowly, through comparison that happens quietly and repeatedly.But here’s the part people forget to say. For some kids, social media really is connection. A child who feels out of place locally might find people online who finally get them. Teens use these platforms to share art, humor, music, thoughts. Social media often amplifies what’s already there. For a child who feels secure, it can expand their world. For a child who feels unsure, it can deepen that uncertainty.The hard part is kids rarely say, “I’m overwhelmed by social comparison.” They don’t have that language yet. Instead, they get quiet. Edgy. Distant. Their emotional vocabulary for online life is still under construction.So parenting has to change shape. Less command, more connection. Conversations matter more than confiscations. Not big speeches. Not surprise phone grabs. Just normal, human questions. “You seem off. Want to talk?” Helping kids untangle what happened online from who they are as people.Boundaries still matter, but rhythms work better than punishments. Phones outside bedrooms at night protect sleep. Tech free meals give everyone breathing space. Small pauses from screens let nervous systems settle. When adults live these habits too, it feels like family life, not surveillance.Digital skills are part of growing up now. Children must be aware of how to silence, block, report, and dissociate. They should be trained not to forget that a post is a moment and not a measure of their value.That lesson takes time and repetition.Families aren’t alone in this. Schools are slowly treating digital behavior as part of social learning. Pediatricians inquire about habits of screen time, food and exercise, as well as sleep. The tech companies and policy makers are under pressure to ensure that online spaces are safer to young users. It is not only a parenting problem. It is a cultural change that we are all learning to cope with.And the greatest protection is, as ever, the same. Emotional safety. Predictable routines. Adults who notice small changes. Children today don’t have two lives, online and offline. They have one blended life. What steadies them hasn’t changed.The fact that the online world might never actually stop means that childhood still requires a place where being judged isn’t counted, where value doesn’t go by reacts and where children can present themselves without looking dishevalled and feel safe.Social media may follow them everywhere.Home can still be the place where they come back to themselves.

International travel has never been easier. Weekend getaways, short-haul holidays, and last-minute plans now feel as effortless as booking a domestic trip. For Indian travellers, few destinations capture this spontaneity better than Singapore, often described as the ‘City in a Garden.’ Efficient, compact, and endlessly appealing, Singapore continues to sit high on travel wish lists. But from early 2026, flying to Singapore will come with an added layer of scrutiny, one that begins even before you reach the boarding gate. From 30 January 2026, Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has introduced a new system called the No-Boarding Directive (NBD). Under this regime, certain travellers may be stopped from boarding flights to Singapore altogether, based on pre-departure screening conducted using advance passenger information.

What changes at check-in?

The biggest shift is that boarding may now be denied at the airline check-in counter itself. Once airlines submit advance passenger information, including details from flight manifests and the SG Arrival Card (SGAC), ICA will screen travellers scheduled to fly into Singapore. If ICA identifies a traveller as prohibited, undesirable, or ineligible for entry, it will issue an NBD notice directly to the airline. In such cases, airlines are legally required to deny boarding to that passenger. The directive applies to flights bound for Singapore, including those arriving at Changi Airport and Seletar Airport. In addition to outright denials, airlines may also be instructed to carry out additional checks at check-in. These can include verifying whether a traveller holds a valid Singapore visa or confirming that the SG Arrival Card has been correctly submitted before allowing boarding.

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Who could be affected?

According to ICA, NBDs may be issued against travellers who do not meet Singapore’s entry requirements. This includes passengers without a valid visa, those travelling on passports with less than six months’ validity, or individuals classified as prohibited or undesirable immigrants based on risk assessments. Till now, these travellers were usually flagged only upon arrival, who are then subjected to enhanced checks at immigration counters. The NBD system shifts this process upstream, stopping potential issues before the flight even departs.Read more: Union Budget 2026: India to host world’s biggest big cat summit – what it means for wildlife lovers

Why Singapore is introducing NBDs

The objective of the No-Boarding Directive is straightforward, which is to strengthen border security by preventing high-risk or ineligible travellers from reaching Singapore in the first place. By leveraging advanced traveller information, ICA aims to reduce risks at checkpoints and ensure that only those are allowed to travel who meet entry conditions. ICA has stated that it has been working closely with airline operators to ensure smooth implementation. Airlines have already been briefed and will continue coordinating with authorities as the system becomes operational.

What if you are denied boarding?

Travellers who are denied boarding under an NBD but still wish to enter Singapore will not be left without recourse. ICA has clarified that such passengers must write to the authority through the ICA Feedback Channel to seek approval for entry. Only after receiving clearance can they arrange a new flight to Singapore. This step makes it clear that a denied boarding does not automatically amount to a permanent ban—but it does mean additional paperwork and delays.Read more: How to visit Amrit Udyan at Rashtrapati Bhawan and why one should not miss it this year

Penalties for airlines

The NBD framework comes with strict enforcement measures. Airlines that fail to comply with an NBD notice can face fines of up to SGD 10,000 under Singapore’s Immigration Act. In serious cases, airline staff or pilots, who allowed a barred passenger to board, may also face imprisonment of up to six months, or both fine and jail time. For travellers, the message is simple and clear, which is to ensure that visas, travel documents, and arrival declarations are in order before flying to Singapore. These will become more important than ever once the new rules take effect.

Doing laundry is a daily chore. It’s among those tasks we rarely stop thinking about. We think about what detergent to use and how to clean clothes in the best way. But most of the time we get disappointed to see laundry coming out looking dull or smelling less than fresh despite using the best detergent. But the problem may not be your detergent or washing machine, no, not at all. The solution is one simple ingredient which may solve your washing machine problem. It’s inexpensive, easily available and every household has and it’s none other than our hero “White Vinegar”.For ages now, white vinegar has acted as a magic ingredient in home cleaning. However the role of this ingredient is still underestimated. Let’s see how this can be used in your washing machine.Why detergent alone is not enoughWhile modern detergents are designed to clean visible dirt, they often miss out on deep cleaning. They leave behind residue when mixed with hard water. Over time, this residue builds up in fabric fibres. It traps bad smells and also makes clothes feel harsh on skin. And that’s why detergent alone is not enough. When we use white vinegar, it takes care of these issues. The mild acidity breaks down detergent, allowing clothes to rinse thoroughly.How white vinegar helpsOne of the biggest positives of using white vinegar is its ability to eliminate odours. It doesn’t mask it, but removes it completely making fabric soft. It happens because vinegar eliminates the bacteria that creates them. It is important for gym wear, socks and towels.Not only this, white vinegar also works as a natural fabric softener. Unlike commercial softeners, vinegar helps fabric fibres in breathing without leaving any residue. The result is soft clothes and improved quality.Another advantage is colour and fabric care. By removing leftover detergent and mineral buildup, vinegar helps preserve fabric colours and prevents whites from looking dull or yellow over time. The right way to use white vinegarHow to use white vinegar in laundry is one of the main concerns of homemakers. But it’s quite simple and only timing matters. Just add half a cup white vinegar during the rinse cycle. Most washing machines have a dedicated fabric softener compartment where vinegar can be poured. But avoid mixing vinegar directly with detergent as detergent works best during the wash cycle, while vinegar does its job during the rinse cycle. Is white vinegar washing machine safe It is absolutely safe when used occasionally and in moderation. It can also help reduce soap scum and mineral deposits. White vinegar is versatile, it is not suitable for all fabrics. Avoid using it on materials such as silk or wool. Therefore, it’s suggested to always check garment care labels before throwing them in the washer.So if you wish for clean and fresher and soft laundry, without spending money on harsh chemicals. It improves detergent performance, removes bad smell and softens fabric.