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.

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.

Modern dating has introduced a wave of new terms, and breadcrumbing is one that many people relate to today. Breadcrumbing describes a situation where someone offers small, inconsistent bits of attention to keep another person emotionally invested, without any real intention of commitment or progression. Instead of building a genuine connection, the relationship survives on mixed signals and false hope.

What Exactly Is Breadcrumbing?

Breadcrumbing gets its name from the idea of leaving a trail of crumbs, just enough to keep someone following. In relationships, this can look like occasional texts, flirty emojis, or late night check ins that suggest interest but never lead to anything meaningful. These interactions may feel exciting at first, but they rarely develop into consistent communication or emotional intimacy.

Common Signs of Breadcrumbing

One of the biggest challenges with breadcrumbing is how subtle it can be. Communication often comes and goes without explanation. Conversations stay light and surface level, avoiding serious topics like commitment or the future. Plans may be hinted at but never finalized, and the person may disappear for days or weeks, only to reappear casually as if nothing happened.

Why Do People Breadcrumb?

Breadcrumbing doesn’t always come from bad intentions. Many people breadcrumb because they enjoy attention and validation but are not emotionally available. Some fear commitment or intimacy, while others want to keep their options open. In some cases, the person may not even realize the impact of their behavior, yet the effect remains the same, confusion for the other person.

The Emotional Impact of Breadcrumbing

For the person on the receiving end, breadcrumbing can be exhausting. The inconsistency often leads to overthinking, self-doubt, and anxiety. Waiting for messages or trying to interpret mixed signals can take an emotional toll and slowly chip away at self-confidence, making it harder to trust future relationships.

How Breadcrumbing Differs From Ghosting

Unlike ghosting, where communication stops completely, breadcrumbing keeps the connection barely alive. This makes it harder to move on because there is always the feeling that something might happen. That lingering hope is what makes breadcrumbing particularly draining.

How to Break the Breadcrumbing Cycle

Recognizing the pattern is the first step. Healthy relationships are built on consistency, effort, and clarity. Setting boundaries, asking direct questions, and paying attention to actions rather than words can help you step away from situations that offer confusion instead of connection.

Why You Deserve More Than Crumbs

At its core, breadcrumbing is a reminder of what a relationship should not feel like. You deserve honesty, presence, and real effort, not occasional messages that lead nowhere. Choosing clarity over crumbs is often the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling connection.

But if it works for you, it works for you.

We have entered into another year and as the global economic landscape evolves, countries have increased not just in population, but for influence in trade and finance. As per the latest projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as aggregated on Worldometer’s 2026 data, the global rankings of national economies by nominal GDP shows dynamic shifts. Let’s have a look at the top 10 countries in the world by GDP (2026 Projections).

(Canva)

Lady Gaga didn’t just show up to the Grammys 2026 red carpet – she arrived like a scene from a gothic opera. While most celebrities went for sparkle, soft glam, and safe silhouettes, Gaga took a hard left into drama, shadow, and full-blown fantasy. The moment she stepped onto the carpet at LA’s Crypto.com Arena, it felt less like a fashion appearance and more like a performance.

It was storytelling through clothes

For the red carpet, Gaga wore a custom piece by avant-garde label Matières Fécales, and the look was impossible to ignore. The gown hugged her body tightly before spilling into a barely-there tulle train that floated behind her. But the real drama was in the structure. Her hips were sculpted outward in sharp, armour-like shapes, giving her silhouette a slightly unreal, almost mythical edge. Black feathers climbed up her bodice and framed her neck and jaw, turning her neckline into something that looked alive.

It was eerie in the best way

Elegant, but with a dark, unsettling beauty to it. Her styling only added to the mood. Bleached brows, platinum hair, and sculpted makeup made her look almost ghost-like against all that black texture. And in true Gaga fashion, she didn’t clutter the look with jewellery. No diamond overload, no distractions. Just the dress, her presence, and her engagement ring. The restraint made the whole thing hit harder.

Gaga has never used the red carpet just to look “nice.” She uses it to become a character. And this look felt perfectly in sync with the world of her album Mayhem – dramatic, moody, a little chaotic, and unapologetically theatrical. While others dress for approval, Gaga dresses for impact.

Then came the stage – and another fashion moment that meant something

For her performance of Abracadabra, Gaga switched into a striking archival Alexander McQueen look from the designer’s Fall 2009 collection. With its exaggerated shoulders, bold hips, and red-and-black feather detailing, the outfit carried McQueen’s signature tension between romance and rebellion. It didn’t feel like a random costume change.

It felt like a tribute. A quiet nod to fashion history, and to a designer who understood darkness, drama, and beauty all at once.

Two appearances. One dark, feathered theme. Zero playing it safe

In a time when most red carpet looks are designed to blend in, Lady Gaga still treats events like the Grammys as her own personal art gallery. Couture becomes sculpture. The body becomes canvas. And every appearance tells a story.

L’Arbre Blanc (The White Tree) is a unique sculptural tower built for residential purposes. It is designed to look like a tree with branching balconies. Looks poetic! The construction was completed in 2019 and since then, it has gained the reputation of the world’s most beautiful residential buildings.

(PC: L’Arbre Blanc Official/Instagram)

India will host the first Global Big Cat Summit this year, which will see heads of governments and ministers from 95 countries coming together to deliberate on collective strategies for conservation. This is what Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced while presenting the Union Budget 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha.Describing the summit as a major step towards strengthening international cooperation, Sitharaman said it would focus on coordinated action to protect big cats across their natural habitats. “This year, India is hosting the first-ever Global Big Cat Summit, where leaders and ministers from 95 range countries will deliberate on collective strategies for conservation,” she said during her Budget speech.

The initiative is expected to open the door to deeper global collaboration, expanded habitat protection, and a renewed emphasis on sustainable wildlife tourism — developments that could have lasting implications for how, where, and whether big cats survive in the wild.India, home to the largest number of wild tigers in the world, has always taken a leading role in the conservation of big cats, and has always been proactive in implementing schemes like Project Tiger, and the recent reintroduction of cheetahs. The budget announcement is in line with the country’s agenda for conservation at a time when habitat destruction, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict threaten the existence of big cats.Read more: ‘I am leaving America’: IT professional shares why despite having a successful career she is forced to quit USThe move also builds on India’s growing role in global wildlife conservation. Sitharaman highlighted the International Big Cat Alliance, which was established last year, and aims at fostering cooperation among countries that are home to species such as tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, and jaguars. The proposed summit is expected to provide a platform for aligning conservation policies, sharing best practices, and mobilising international resources.

Beyond wildlife diplomacy, the Union Budget outlined several tourism and conservation-linked initiatives. The government announced plans to develop ecologically sustainable mountain trails in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in the Araku Valley of the Eastern Ghats and parts of the Western Ghats. Key turtle nesting sites in Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala will also be developed into conservation-linked eco-tourism trails. The budget further stressed on creating thematic tourism circuits, including bird-watching trails at Pulicat Lake in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, along with the development of 15 archaeological sites, such as Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur, and Leh Palace, into experiential destinations that integrate heritage conservation with visitor engagement. Read more: Delhi wakes up to dense fog; flight operations disrupted, airport and airlines issue advisoryTo strengthen spiritual tourism, a new Buddhist circuit scheme in the North-East, which will be covering Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, was also announced. The initiative will focus on preserving monasteries and temples, thereby improving connectivity, and creating pilgrimage interpretation centres and amenities.Skill development in tourism also received attention, wherein there is a proposal to train around 10,000 tour guides across 20 major destinations under a pilot programme, in collaboration with the Indian Institutes of Management.

BLACKPINK’S Rosé has brushed shoulders with the Grammys world before – from hosting fans at an intimate set at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles last December to slowly building her presence within the Recording Academy. But this year’s ceremony hit different. The 2026 Grammys marked her first-ever appearance at the main awards night, and it couldn’t have come at a bigger moment in her career.This is also the first time Rosé has been nominated as a solo artist, and she’s already rewriting the record books. She became the first K-pop soloist to score nominations in two major Grammy categories. And later in the night, she’s set to step onto the Grammys stage, another historic first for a K-pop solo act.For a night this personal and career-defining, Rosé kept her red carpet look clean, striking, and quietly powerful. She wore a strapless black mini dress paired with a dramatic white gathered drape that flowed from her waist to the floor, creating a sharp contrast between classic elegance and modern edge. The look felt minimal at first glance, but the sculpted silhouette and bold structure made it anything but simple.The outfit was styled by Aeri Yun, the creative force behind many of Rosé’s most loved fashion moments – from her easy street style to her slightly offbeat, feminine stage looks. Together, they’ve created a fashion identity that’s recognisable without being repetitive, and this Grammys appearance felt like a perfect summary of that journey.She finished the look with sheer tights, pointed heels, and subtle sparkle in the form of Tiffany & Co. jewellery. The glam stayed soft and unfussy, with Rosé letting her bleach-blonde curls take centre stage instead of going heavy on makeup. It was one of those rare red carpet moments where restraint actually made the look stronger.Rosé walked the carpet solo before heading inside for the ceremony, where her song with Bruno Mars, “APT.”, is in the running for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. It’s tough competition, with names like Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter, and Bad Bunny also in the mix.Still, wins or not, this night already feels like a milestone. For Rosé, simply being here – nominated, performing, and owning her space on one of music’s biggest stages, is a moment fans will remember long after the trophies are handed out.

For decades, Jack Kerouac’s most famous work has existed in two forms. The book readers know, and the scroll that most people have only heard about. Now, that original scroll is stepping back into public view. The 37-metre-long typewritten draft of ‘On the Road’ is set to be auctioned in New York this March, and literary historians are paying close attention. Typed in a restless three-week burst in April 1951, the scroll captures Kerouac before edits, before polish, before restraint. It is raw, fast, and reportedly closest to what he actually wanted to say. Experts say artefacts like this rarely surface, and when they do, they reopen old debates about art, ownership, and who gets to decide where cultural history belongs.

What makes Kerouac’s original scroll so different from the published book

The scroll itself is almost as famous as the book. Kerouac taped together long sheets of tracing paper so he wouldn’t have to pause to change pages. Just words flowing, one after another. Heather Weintraub, books and manuscripts specialist at Christie’s, reported that the scroll is “unique and hugely important”. She described it as the only original draft of Kerouac’s masterpiece, and widely viewed as the most iconic physical object linked to the Beat Generation. What’s striking is how different it is from the version published in 1957.

Why the On the Road scroll being auctioned still matters today

Experts say it offers rare insight into Kerouac’s spontaneous prose method, something he spoke about often but few could truly see until this document surfaced. It isn’t just a draft but evidence of a way of thinking. That’s why the scroll’s appearance at auction feels significant. Around 400 items from the collection will be displayed free to the public at Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza galleries from 6 to 12 March.Alongside the Kerouac scroll, the sale includes Paul McCartney’s handwritten lyrics for Hey Jude, documents linked to the Beatles’ break-up, handwritten Rocky notes by Sylvester Stallone, and a journal kept by Jim Morrison.

Who should own the ‘On the Road’ scroll

This isn’t the first time the Kerouac scroll has stirred controversy. When it was last sold in 2001, Carolyn Cassady, the former wife of Neal Cassady, criticised the sale sharply. She called it “blasphemy”.