During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. This unique rhythm often leads to changes in sleeping patterns. With nights shortened and days filled with fasting, many Muslims find themselves battling fatigue and a dip in alertness – and a well-timed nap may provide a much needed boost.
Recently published research on athletes fasting during Ramadan has demonstrated that even a 40-minute nap taken after a strenuous evening session can significantly improve physical and cognitive performance. And, in studies with soccer players, those who napped showed better performance in short-distance shuttle runs and attention tests than those who skipped the nap.
So, why can naps have such a transformative effect on our energy levels?
Siesta science
Naps work by giving the brain and body a chance to reset. When you’re awake for long stretches – especially under the stress of altered meal times and reduced nighttime sleep – the brain accumulates sleep pressure.
A nap, especially in the early afternoon when many experience a natural dip in alertness, can relieve that pressure and enhance mood, reaction time, and even physical endurance. One 2024 study, for instance, showed that a 40-minute nap not only reduced feelings of sleepiness but also improved performance in tasks that require focus and quick thinking. While a 2025 study of female athletes found that both 40-minute and even 90-minute naps could enhance physical performance and mood after a night of sleep restriction.
But it’s not all good news for habitual nappers. Although longer naps sometimes show even greater benefits, they may also lead to temporary grogginess – a phenomenon known as sleep inertia – which can counteract the positive effects if not managed properly.
But there’s evidence that exposure to bright light and face washing could help nappers combat sleep inertia. For some, though, this grogginess can linger long enough to affect productivity, mood, and overall performance.
When it comes to nap duration and timing, the key is to find the “sweet spot”. Short naps – lasting around 20 to 30 minutes – can improve alertness without causing sleep inertia. On the other hand, longer naps, such as those lasting 40 minutes or more, have been shown to boost both mental and physical performance but must be scheduled carefully to avoid interfering with nighttime sleep.
To nap, or not to nap?
During Ramadan, when the body is already adapting to a shifted sleep schedule, a carefully timed nap might be especially beneficial. It can serve as a counterbalance to the reduced sleep quality and quantity that sometimes accompany fasting. However, if taken too late in the day, a nap might delay the onset of your regular sleep cycle, leading to disrupted sleep patterns.
But, when taken at the right time, napping can be a valuable tool for enhancing alertness, mood, and even physical performance – benefits that are particularly relevant during periods of fasting like Ramadan.
Ultimately, the decision to adopt a daily nap should be guided by your personal lifestyle, sleep quality, and overall health goals. For many, a well-timed, moderate-length nap is not only a healthy habit, but also a strategic advantage in managing daily challenges – whether you’re fasting during Ramadan or simply trying to make the most of a hectic day.
Timothy Hearn, Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics, Anglia Ruskin University
Beira (Agenzia Fides) – “Since its founding in 1995, the Catholic University of Mozambique (UCM) has responded to educational challenges with seriousness and innovation, with the firm desire to educate citizens of integrity,” said the Rector, Fr. Filipe Sungo. “We seek not only well-prepared and qualified professionals in their field, but also leaders committed to the common good.”Three decades of history have enabled the UCM to realize an educational project that today stands out at the national level for its academic rigor, innovation, internationalization, and, last but not least, its human value. This is affirmed by the medical aid organization “Doctors with Africa Cuamm,” which carries out numerous initiatives in collaboration with the university and was represented at the opening event of the academic year on Friday, March 14, in Beira by its director, Don Dante Carraro, accompanied by Professor Alberto Mantovani, internationally renowned immunologist and scientific director of “Humanitas,” as well as other priests and supporters from the Diocese of Padua.”An institution closely linked to the community,” is how Don Dante defines the UCM, emphasizing that science, research and expertise must not forget to serve the poorest and most vulnerable. “The future begins right here, where knowledge is built and shared,” said Professor Mantovani, who has been a visiting professor in Beira several times over the years.”The university is certainly a place where science is cultivated with seriousness, but it is also a place where hearts and minds are formed not only for academic excellence but also for generous service to humanity,” said Bishop Claudio Dalla Zuanna of Beira, who attended the ceremony, echoing the words of Pope Francis. “The university must not be a self-contained ivory tower, but must be able to listen to society, accept challenges, and provide answers.”The UCM is now the country’s second university campus, located about 1,500 km from the capital, Maputo. A few years after its founding, the Faculty of Medicine of the Catholic University of Mozambique was opened, not least at the urging of “Doctors with Africa Cuamm” and thanks to decades of collaboration between the aid organization and the city’s health authorities. Since the first courses in anatomy, surgery, and internal medicine, launched by CUAMM physicians in 2004, the commitment to the UCM Medical School has never stopped, but has actually grown over time. On August 25, 2007, the first aspiring doctors graduated in Beira. “A historic date for the entire country,” as the university’s rector, Father Alberto Ferreira, called it. They were the first students to be trained outside the capital, Maputo, in the north-central part of the country, where there was barely one doctor per 100,000 inhabitants (see Fides, 8/10/2009). (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 17/3/2025)
Cuamm
Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong and World Internet Conference (WIC) Secretary General Ren Xianliang announced today the launch of the WIC Asia-Pacific Summit 2025 in Hong Kong.
Under the theme “Integration of AI & Digital Technologies Shaping the Future – Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace”, the event will be staged at the Convention & Exhibition Centre on April 14 and 15.
For the first time, the WIC has designated Hong Kong to host the Asia-Pacific summit.
The bureau said the summit is expected to attract around 1,000 participants from the Mainland and overseas, including representatives from governments and enterprises, international organisations, leading corporations, experts and scholars.
Through exploring the latest trends in various technology areas, as well as in-depth exchanges of views and experiences, the event aims to enable all parties to seize the development opportunities brought about by digital and intelligent transformation, promoting high-quality development in innovation and technology (I&T), strengthening digital collaboration, and creating new momentum and new advantages for the development of the Asia-Pacific region.
At a press conference today, Prof Sun pointed out that the WIC choosing Hong Kong as the host affirms the city’s pivotal role of bridging China and the world as a dual platform, further strengthening its position as an international I&T centre.
The summit is expected to deepen regional co-operation in the I&T field, support Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T centre, and foster the development of the digital economy across the Asia-Pacific region, he added.
The event is organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and co-organised by the Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau. In addition to the opening ceremony and the main forum on “The Future of Digital Intelligence”, there will be three sub-forums themed “Large Artificial Intelligence Models”, “Digital Finance” and “Digital Government & Smart Life”, where internationally renowned speakers will share their insights.
A government-enterprise dialogue session, a cybersecurity emergency response advanced training programme, and an information meeting on Practice Cases & Awards for Pioneering Science & Technology will also be held.
A team of scientists from University College Cork (Ireland), the University of Connecticut (USA), and the Natural History Museum of Vienna (Austria) have uncovered how plants responded to catastrophic climate changes 250 million years ago. Their findings, published in GSA Bulletin, reveal the long, drawn-out process of ecosystem recovery following one of the most extreme periods of warming in Earth’s history: the “End-Permian Event.”
UConn Department of Earth Sciences Professor and Department Head Tracy Frank, Professor Chris Fielding, and Associate Professor Michael Hren are co-authors on the paper. Frank and Hren performed a series of geochemical analyses through the sedimentary strata recording the event to help tie down ancient climate conditions, and Fielding provided sedimentological data to constrain ancient environmental conditions.
The End-Permian Extinction, also known as the Great Dying, is the most severe ecological crisis of the past 500 million years.
“It is believed to have entailed a five-fold increase in atmospheric CO2, global temperature rise of up to 10° C or more, ozone depletion, widespread wildfires, and changes in rainfall patterns across the Earth’s surface,” says Fielding.
With more than 80% of ocean species wiped out, the end-Permian event was the worst mass extinction of all time. But the impacts of this event for life on land have been elusive. By examining fossil plants and rocks from eastern Australia’s Sydney Basin, researchers have pieced together a multi-million-year story of resilience, recovery, and the long-term effects of climate change following the Great Dying.
The long, unsteady path to ecosystem recovery
The fossils from these Australian rocks show that conifers, like modern pines, were some of the earliest to colonize the land immediately after the End-Permian catastrophe. However, the recovery back to flourishing forests was not smooth sailing.
The researchers discovered that even higher temperatures during the “Late Smithian Thermal Maximum,” approximately 3 million years after the End-Permian Extinction, caused the collapse of these conifer survivors. In turn, they were replaced by tough, shrubby plants resembling modern clubmosses. This scorching period lasted for about 700,000 years and made life challenging for trees and other large plants.
It wasn’t until a subsequent significant cooling event—the “Smithian-Spathian Event”—that large, but unusual plants called “seed ferns” began to flourish and establish more stable forests. These plants eventually came to dominate Earth’s landscapes for millions of years, paving the way for the lush forests during the Mesozoic “age of dinosaurs.”
“The first post-apocalyptic floras were ‘opportunistic’ in nature, perhaps the equivalent of what in the modern world are called ‘weeds.’ These plants were mostly small, and were sparsely distributed. Larger trees and other more complex plant types took considerable time to become established as surface conditions gradually improved,” says Fielding.
After millions of years, the forest ecosystems of the Mesozoic came to look like those from before the end-Permian collapse. But crucially, the plant species that made up the new forests were completely different. “The term ‘recovery’ can be misleading” says Chris Mays, Leader of the Mass Extinction Group at University College Cork, “forests recover eventually, but extinction is forever.”
What does this mean for us?
By understanding how ancient plant ecosystems weathered extreme climate swings, researchers hope to learn valuable lessons about how modern plants and ecosystems might cope with today’s climate crisis. Ecosystems depend on a fragile balance, with plants as the backbone of land food webs and climate regulation.
“This research highlights how crucial plants are, not just as the base of land food chains, but also as natural carbon sinks that stabilize Earth’s climate,” explains Ph.D. student Marcos Amores, the study’s lead author, who spent time in the UConn Earth Science Department as a visiting scholar. “The disruption of these systems can have impacts lasting hundreds of thousands of years, so protecting today’s ecosystems is more important than ever.”
This deep dive into Earth’s distant past reminds us that plants are unsung heroes of life on Earth—then, now, and in the future.
“The protracted and complex path back to ‘normality’ after the end-Permian crisis tells us that Earth can recover from devastating environmental tipping points, but that recovery may take periods of time beyond the range of human endurance or even existence,” says Fielding.
The multi-year project to overhaul and expand one of UConn’s largest, most visible, and most heavily used academic buildings will soon enter its final stretch with the start of the last phase of renovations.
The Gant Science Complex, often described colloquially as the workhorse of UConn’s academic infrastructure at Storrs, has undergone extensive renovations that started in 2018 and have significantly transformed much of the once-outdated structure.
If all remains on schedule, work is slated to begin this summer on the final phase of renovations at the complex, which fronts North Eagleville and Auditorium Roads.
Completion of the project will mark a milestone for UConn, which received funding for the work under the state’s Next Generation Connecticut initiative.
UConn students walk through the Gant Science Complex on the first day of classes for the spring 2025 semester on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)
That visionary program is part of the larger UConn 2000 initiative, which has built the state’s innovation economy through investments in its flagship university, as supported by generations of Connecticut legislators and governors since the mid-1990s.
NextGenCT included construction of UConn’s Science 1 building in addition to the Gant renovations. Science 1 opened nearby in 2023, complementing Gant as interdisciplinary research facilities that anchor the university’s Northwest Science District.
Both buildings support goals in the 10-year Strategic Plan, including expanding UConn’s research impact, powering a thriving Connecticut, and promoting holistic student success.
“The hallmarks of a great university are not only the research and academic knowledge it produces, but also its commitment to providing the modern labs, learning spaces, and support facilities that cultivate that important work,” says Anne D’Alleva, UConn’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
“We often jokingly refer to the Gant Science Complex as the workhorse of our Storrs campus because so much of the hands-on research, teaching, and collaborative learning takes place there on a daily basis,” she says. “The renovations of this important complex will be integral to UConn’s ability to reach new heights and power the Connecticut innovation economy.”
The U-shaped Gant Science Complex houses several academic departments and their associated classrooms, lecture halls, teaching and research laboratories, faculty offices, and support space.
It was built between 1970 and 1974 and is named for the late Edward V. Gant, a longtime engineering professor who also served three stints as UConn’s acting president. He died in 1985.
The science complex that bears his name had about 285,000 gross square feet of space at the start of the renovation, with the current project adding about 25,000 additional square feet upon completion.
The first phase of renovations, which involved Gant South, was completed in 2019, followed by a two-year renovation period at Gant West. In both cases, the full wings were overhauled along with the connector between the wings and the central plaza.
A central Light Court area, a new signature feature of the complex, was completed and occupied in January 2020.
The phased approach has allowed UConn to continue using large portions of the complex even when other areas were under construction, minimizing disruption to academic operations and eliminating the need for temporary facilities.
Construction on the last phase will start this summer if all remains on schedule with bidding, timely availability of equipment, and other factors.
The third and final phase of work at Gant will involve renovating and expanding the North Wing and its connector to the West Wing and includes a fourth-floor addition for advanced research.
The renovated North Wing will offer updated laboratory teaching facilities and support spaces for the Department of Ecology & Environmental Biology, as well as multidisciplinary science teaching labs and teaching labs for Biology 1000 level courses on the ground through second floors.
Support spaces include a new advising and tutoring center for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and a new facility for biology central storage. The third and fourth floors will be prepared for future advanced research activities.
UConn’s Board of Trustees recently gave its approval to begin working toward the final phase, which would start with demolition and abatement, site work, and purchasing equipment with long lead times for delivery.
In addition to the interior renovations, the building’s façade and roof are being reconstructed to better prevent leaks and save energy, while the outdoor plaza area is being improved to be more inviting and accessible to the campus community.
If all remains on schedule, the renovated North Wing will open during the 2027-28 academic year.
The project also aligns with UConn’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, meeting Connecticut High Performance Building standards and aiming for LEED Gold certification.
LEED-certified buildings are designed with methods to reduce operating costs, conserve energy and water, cut down on waste sent to landfills, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure a healthy working environment for occupants. The U.S. Green Building Council confers the certification after a review process.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet have been sworn in, ending Justin Trudeau’s time in office and paving the way for a spring election. Canadians are soon heading to the polls as they watch American democracy crumble.
United States President Donald Trump recently argued “he who saves his country does not violate any Law” as he ignores Congress and the courts, governs by executive order and threatens international laws and treaties.
Republican leaders moved dramatically to the right, and the primary system allowed the choice of an extremist. Republican voters then aligned their opinions with his. Trump’s disdain for democratic fundamentals spread quickly. Partisans defending their team slid away from democratic values.
Canada’s more centrist ideological spectrum is not foolproof against this type of extremism. Public opinion can be moved when our leaders take us there.
Decline can start slowly and then accelerate. America’s democratic backsliding in the first weeks of Trump’s second presidency follows the erosion of democratic norms over decades. Republican attacks on institutions, the opposition, the media and higher education corrosively undermined public faith in the truth, including election results.
Trust in government is holding steady in Canada, however. That provides an important guardrail for Canadian democracy.
The dangers of courting the far right
There are also lessons for our political parties. To maximize their seats, Republicans accepted extremists like Marjorie Taylor Greene, but soon needed those types of politicians for key votes.
The so-called Freedom Caucus, made up of MAGA adherents, forced the choice of a new, more extreme, leader of the House of Representatives. This provides a clear lesson that history has shown many times: it is dangerous for the party on the political right to accommodate the far right, which can quickly take control.
Once established within the ruling party, extremists can hold their party hostage.
Austria recently avoided the inclusion of the far right in its new coalition, and now Germany is working to do the same. As Canada’s Conservatives look for every vote, courting far-right voters and candidates risks destabilizing the system.
They clearly did not imagine party loyalty negating the safeguards that protect democracy from an authoritarian-minded president. The Constitution gives Congress the power to legislate and impeach, limits the executive’s power to spend and make appointments, gives the judiciary power to hold an executive accountable and contains the 25th amendment allowing cabinet to remove a president.
But when one party controls the legislative and executive branches during a time of hyper-partisanship, these mechanisms may not constrain an authoritarian. Today, Republican loyalty has eroded these checks and balances and American courts are struggling to step up to their heightened role.
Although counter-intuitive, parliamentary systems like Canada’s are usually less susceptible to authoritarianism than presidential ones because the cabinet or the House of Commons can turn against a lawless leader.
Still, if popular, authoritarian leaders can still retain their party’s support — and then things can slide quickly. The rightward pull of extremists seen in the U.S. House would be more dangerous here since the Canadian House of Commons includes our executive.
Guarding against xenophobia
Lastly, Canada should be wary of xenophobic rhetoric.
“America First” is not simply shopping advice. It began as an isolationist slogan during the First World War but was soon adopted by pro-fascists, American Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan. These entities questioned who is really American and wanted not only isolationism, but racist policies, immigration restrictions and eugenics.
Trump did not revive the phrase accidentally. It’s a call to America’s fringes. Alienating domestic groups is a sure sign of democratic decline.
“Canada First” mimics that century-long dark theme in America. In combination with contempt for the opposition, it questions the right of other parties to legitimately hold power if used as a message by one party.
Also, asserting that “Canada is broken” — as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre often does — mimics Trump’s talk of American carnage, language and imagery he uses to justify extraordinary presidential authority.
Such language erodes citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and primes voters to support undemocratic practices in the name of patriotism. Canadian parties and politicians should exit that road.
Ultimately, institutions alone do not protect a country from the rise of authoritarianism. Democracy can be fragile. As a federal election approaches in Canada, it’s important to know the warning signs of extremism and anti-democratic practices that are creeping into our politics.
Matthew Lebo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Michael Williams, Professor of International Politics, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
In the few weeks since United States President Donald Trump returned to the White House, world leaders and commentators have struggled to make sense of his approach to foreign policy, including tariffs, alliance renegotiations and threats of territorial appropriation.
No one is sure how much is bluff or negotiating tactics, nor how much is deadly serious.
For some, Trump’s foreign policy is simply incoherent, but most try to fit his approach into the familiar choice between isolationism and internationalism.
But there’s a third possibility: Trump’s second presidency marks a contemporary twist on an older form of continentalist geopolitics with important implications for Canada and the world.
‘Great Powers’
Although it has been largely missing from foreign policy debates in the post-Second World War era, continentalist geopolitics has a long and often controversial history.
In the 19th century and the first half of the 20th, it envisioned a world divided into “great spaces,” each dominated by a different “Great Power.” According to this perspective, not all regions are equally important, and continentalist geopolitics does not require a choice between internationalism and isolationism.
Instead, continentalism recommends that Great Powers like the U.S. — with its massive financial, natural and industrial resources — concentrate on controlling territory, the regions surrounding it and the crucial transportation routes on its continental fringes.
Pressure is placed on countries whose importance is determined by their geopolitical proximity, and those that are least able to resist due to their dense connections and relative dependence on the U.S.
The objective is not just to gain specific advantages; it’s to force neighbours into even tighter economic and infrastructural connections and dependence. The obvious countries in this scenario are Canada and Mexico, and it’s therefore unsurprising that both have been the targets of Trump’s significant tariff threats and other coercive measures.
Beyond geographically contiguous states, continentalist geopolitics also focuses on areas that command key strategic passages and trade routes, especially those currently controlled by weaker powers.
For the U.S., Panama, with its canal, fits the bill. Danish-administered Greenland, with its natural resources and geographic importance in a rapidly thawing Arctic region, is another. It’s unsurprising that these countries, along with Canada, were a Trump focus in the first weeks of his second administration.
Today, continentalist geopolitics recognizes the multi-polarity and “multi-alignment” in world politics.
It’s not isolationist, but it recognizes that waning American power in an inter-connected world gives more distant states the ability to resist U.S. pressure by making deals with a wide range of other countries. In this setting, an interventionist global role is neither possible nor desirable, and the U.S. should refrain from global commitments.
“It’s not normal for the world to simply have a unipolar power… that was an anomaly. It was a product of the end of the Cold War, but eventually you were going to reach back to a point where you had a multi-polar world, multi-great powers in different parts of the planet. We face that now with China and to some extent Russia.”
No commitment to global stability
The continentalist perspective does not require a complete separation from the world economic or security order. Trade, financial and technology flows can be encouraged, but their basis would be a re-industrialized and more self-sufficient core, well-insulated from economic and security threats.
Extended interests, such as European stability, could be minimized by increasing the cost burden to allies and minimizing fixed commitments. A powerful global capacity with a “light” geographic footprint is the preferred posture.
Calls for increased defence spending by NATO allies and for European responsibility in enforcing a post-war settlement in Ukraine logically follow.
The continentalist playbook is content to leave the management of distant regions to other powers, each pre-eminent in their part of the world. That means participation in international organizations is minimized.
Foreign aid should reflect American interests, with involvement depending on the costs and benefits, not any automatic commitment to global stability. Feeding the world’s most extensive development agency, USAID, “into the wood-chipper” — to quote Elon Musk — is a page taken straight from this kind of geopolitician’s handbook.
Unsavoury history
The possibility that a continentalist geopolitics underpins recent U.S. foreign policy initiatives has received too little attention in Canada.
It’s not yet clear that the actions of America’s new administration represent the rise, much less the triumph, of Trumpian geopolitics. Nor is there any guarantee that such a vision would or will succeed.
But there is enough evidence to suggest we should take the possibility seriously. Since 1945, America’s foreign policy options have resided somewhere between internationalism and isolationism. But a geopolitical vision of world politics as a diverse canvas of large territory dominated by different Great Powers have a long, if often unsavoury, history in foreign policy.
A southern neighbour pursuing a such a geopolitical approach would mark a radical transformation in world order and pose huge challenges for Canada. Canadians should at least be prepared for the possibility.
Michael Williams receives funding from the Social Science Research Council of Canada
The Government announced that the Task Group on New Medical School has received a total of three proposals for the establishment of the third medical school by today’s deadline for submissions.
The proposals were submitted by Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology.
The task group will proceed to the next stage of work to evaluate the proposals according to the devised parameters, having agreed to adopt a holistic and comprehensive approach for evaluating the proposals submitted by universities from various perspectives.
This is in accordance with 10 key parameters, including innovative strategic positioning, curriculum structure and assessment methodologies, and financial sustainability.
Expert advisers and other group members will conduct an in-depth evaluation of the proposals in their areas of expertise. The task group plans to conduct interviews within the second quarter of this year with the universities concerned to gain a better understanding of their proposals for making a consolidated consideration.
The task group is expected to complete the evaluation and recommend to the Government within this year a proposal that could nurture more talented medical practitioners in support of the high quality development of the local healthcare service system, while aligning with the development of Hong Kong into an international medical training, research and innovation hub.
NASA will provide live coverage of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 return to Earth from the International Space Station, beginning with Dragon spacecraft hatch closure preparations at 10:45 p.m. EDT Monday, March 17. NASA and SpaceX met on Sunday to assess weather and splashdown conditions off Florida’s coast for the return of the agency’s Crew-9 mission from the International Space Station. Mission managers are targeting an earlier Crew-9 return opportunity based on favorable conditions forecasted for the evening of Tuesday, March 18. The updated return target continues to allow the space station crew members time to complete handover duties while providing operational flexibility ahead of less favorable weather conditions expected for later in the week. NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, are completing a long-duration science expedition aboard the orbiting laboratory and will return time-sensitive research to Earth. Mission managers will continue monitoring weather conditions in the area, as Dragon’s undocking depends on various factors, including spacecraft readiness, recovery team readiness, weather, sea states, and other factors. NASA and SpaceX will confirm the specific splashdown location closer to the Crew-9 return. Watch Crew-9 return activities on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of additional platforms, including social media. For schedule information, visit:
NASA Live
For Crew-9 return, NASA’s live operations coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations): Monday, March 17 10:45 p.m. – Hatch closing coverage begins on NASA+ Tuesday, March 18 12:45 a.m. – Undocking coverage begins on NASA+ 1:05 a.m. – Undocking Following the conclusion of undocking coverage, NASA will switch to audio only. Pending weather conditions at the splashdown sites, continuous coverage will resume on March 18 on NASA+ prior to the start of deorbit burn. 4:45 p.m. – Return coverage begins on NASA+ 5:11 p.m. – Deorbit burn (time is approximate) 5:57 p.m. – Splashdown (time is approximate) 7:30 p.m. – Return-to-Earth media conference on NASA+, with the following participants:
Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator, NASA’ Space Operations Mission Directorate Steve Stich, manager, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Jeff Arend, manager for systems engineering and integration, NASA’s International Space Station, NASA’s International Space Station Office Sarah Walker, director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX
To participate in the briefing media must contact the newsroom at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston by 5 p.m., March 17, at: jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov or 281-483-5111. To ask questions, media must dial in no later than 10 minutes before the start of the call. The agency’s media credentialing policy is available online. Find full mission coverage, NASA’s commercial crew blog, and more information about the Crew-9 mission at: https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew -end- Joshua Finch / Jimi RussellHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / james.j.russell@nasa.gov Kenna Pell / Sandra JonesJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111kenna.m.pell@nasa.gov / sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov Steve Siceloff / Stephanie PlucinskyKennedy Space Center, Florida321-867-2468steven.p.siceloff@nasa.gov / stephanie.n.plucinsky@nasa.gov
The patent protects Wearable Devices’ innovative neural measurement of weight, torque, and force applied with multiple real-world use-cases for Brain-Computer Interfaces, Industry 4.0, and Extended Reality
YOKNEAM ILLIT, ISRAEL, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wearable Devices Ltd. (the “Company” or “Wearable Devices”) (Nasdaq: WLDS, WLDSW), a technology growth company specializing in artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered touchless sensing wearables, announced that it has received a notice of allowance for its patent application entitled “Gesture and Voice-Controlled Interface Device” by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Certain claims of the patent protect the Company’s revolutionary gesture-controlled interface ability to be used as wearable scale measuring real-world physical properties from the wrist. The patent covers, inter alia, the ability to estimate the weight of an object, the torque that the user applies fastening rotating objects such as screws and faucets, and measuring the force applied by a user when fastening a connector of an electrical cable harness, along with other innovations in the fields of voice commands, user experience, extended reality (“XR”) embodiment and brain computer interface.
The innovation covered by the patent may be beneficial in multiple real-world applications, with three dominant use cases: enhancing embodiment for individuals with severe disabilities, increasing productivity in logistics and industrial environments, and improving immersion in virtual environments.
The patent is part of the Company’s intellectual property (“IP”) strategy to broaden the protection of its core IP globally using patent families that cover multiple future applications of wearable bio-potential sensors and allows the Company to adapt its patent portfolio in real time to future changes in global markets.
“The newly allowed patent demonstrates the power of neural interfaces in enhancing everyday tasks – whether it’s weighing groceries, measuring the torque applied when closing a faucet, or ensuring connectors are properly fastened. Now that the patent is secured, we are diligently integrating these advanced features into our products to enrich our customers’ lives,” stated Mr. Guy Wagner, co-founder, President and Chief Science Officer of Wearable Devices Ltd.
About Wearable Devices Ltd.
Wearable Devices Ltd. is a pioneering growth company revolutionizing human-computer interaction through its AI-powered neural input technology for both consumer and business markets. Leveraging proprietary sensors, software, and advanced AI algorithms, the Company’s innovative products, including the Mudra Band for iOS and Mudra Link for Android, enable seamless, touch-free interaction by transforming subtle finger and wrist movements into intuitive controls. These groundbreaking solutions enhance gaming, and the rapidly expanding augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and XR landscapes. The Company offers a dual-channel business model: direct-to-consumer sales and enterprise licensing. Its flagship Mudra Band integrates functional and stylish design with cutting-edge AI to empower consumers, while its enterprise solutions provide businesses with the tools to deliver immersive and interactive experiences. By setting the input standard for the XR market, Wearable Devices is redefining user experiences and driving innovation in one of the fastest-growing tech sectors. Wearable Devices’ ordinary shares and warrants trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols “WLDS” and “WLDSW,” respectively.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss our technology and its potential benefits and our IP strategy. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the trading of our ordinary shares or warrants and the development of a liquid trading market; our ability to successfully market our products and services; the acceptance of our products and services by customers; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 15, 2024 and our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
World news story
British Embassy Zagreb invites bids for Impact Fund 2025 to 2026
British Embassy Zagreb invites organisations to submit proposals by 14 April 2025 for projects demonstrating impact in areas of strengthening inter-community relations in Southeast Europe.
The British Embassy in Zagreb is inviting organisations to submit project proposals for funding from our Impact Fund. As the name suggests, the purpose of the fund is to achieve impact, so we’re looking for projects that make a real difference in the highlighted priority areas. Project proposals which strengthen and nurture relationships between Croatian and UK people and organisations are particularly welcome.
Themes
This year, the call will focus on organisations, projects and activities, which link to the following thematic areas:
Regional stability and development: connecting and strengthening societies in Southeast Europe
Projects which promote harmonious and constructive relations between communities within Croatia, and between communities in Croatia and its neighbours, to enable stability, European integration and socio-economic advancement in the context of global and domestic challenges. We will prioritise projects in the following areas:
strengthening inter-community understanding, tolerance and constructive cooperation, both domestically and cross-border within Southeast Europe
defending against threats to inter-community relations in Southeast Europe, e.g. countering hate speech, historic distortion, and disinformation; supporting a healthy media landscape; and promoting factual, inclusive public discourse and narratives
empowering women and girls, enhancing female civic participation and equality, contributing to prosperity and security in the region
Special emphasis should be placed on activities which generate change, with wider and lasting social impact.
Innovation for growth: building and nurturing UK-Croatia research & innovation, science, technology, and business partnerships.
Projects which nurture long-term research & innovation, science, technology, and business partnerships, with a special emphasis on fostering economic growth and UK-Croatia cooperation. We will prioritise projects in the following areas:
establishing new partnerships between researchers, businesses and institutions in the UK and Croatia. In particular, large-scale UK-Croatia collaboration between researchers and organisations within Horizon Europe and other programmes (note: while we cannot directly fund research covered by these other programmes, but we can support establishing the research connections)
projects focused on policy and regulation, exchanging knowledge and best practice and other activities which promote and support research (this excludes direct funding) relating to AI, quantum technologies, high-performance computing, nuclear fusion, semiconductors, Health tech and engineering biology. Including values-based governance and regulation of new and emerging technologies, especially AI
building expertise on the commercialisation of innovation, connecting Croatian companies to venture capitals and tech ecosystems, and enabling the UK and Croatian business partnerships
addressing barriers to market access between the UK and Croatia (e.g. policy, implementation of regulations)
Energy and climate: promoting green growth and energy transition
Projects which promote green and sustainable growth, support the transition to clean energy sources such as offshore wind, hydrogen and nuclear, and deeper UK-Croatia cooperation. Also, projects that tackle the climate crisis and mitigate its impacts, as well as tackling and reversing bio-diversity loss will be considered for funding. We will prioritise projects in the following areas:
establishing UK-Croatia commercial and scientific partnerships in the development of net zero technologies, with focus on hydrogen and nuclear fission and fusion (e.g. joint initiatives, building partnerships within Horizon Europe, exchange programmes between the UK and Croatian institutions)
establishing UK-Croatia commercial and scientific partnerships in energy efficiency and storage, emission reduction, and accelerating to achieving net zero
establishing UK-Croatia commercial and scientific partnerships in tackling the climate crisis, mitigating its impacts by strengthening social, economic and ecological resilience, unlocking climate and nature finance
Activity bid guidance
The British Embassy will support projects with activities taking place between 20 June 2025 and 15 February 2026, with no expectation of continued funding beyond the stated period.
Maximum project budget limit: 11,500 Euros.
Project bids will be assessed against the following criteria:
alignment with thematic priorities and likelihood of achieving a real-world impact
outcomes that are achievable within the funding period and offer value for money
activity design that includes clear evaluation procedures and measures of impact
activity design that includes risk and financial accountability procedures
that the organisation’s safeguarding policies ensure protection of beneficiaries, especially vulnerable individuals and children
all proposals must be received by 12:00 pm on 14 April 2025. Late proposals will not be considered
successful bidders will be notified by the end of May
Transparency and further questions
The British Embassy in Zagreb will organise an online question and answer session about the bidding process on Wednesday 26 March 2025 at 2pm (CET). You can join the live session using this link.
Additional information and documentation
All project implementers will be expected to sign a standard contract or grant agreement with the Embassy provided by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
The terms of the contract or agreement are not negotiable.
All projects are expected to have achieved 85% spend by end of December 2025. Proposed budgets must reflect this requirement.
NEW YORK, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Evome Medical Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) (TSXV: EVMT) announces the appointment of Michael Dalsin as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Kenneth Kashkin, MD will take the role of Vice-Chairman. Bill Garbarini will retain his role as COO while stepping off the Board of Directors. Chris Heath was also appointed as a new Director increasing the size of the Board of Directors from five to six.
Mr. Dalsin is best known in Canada as the former Chairman of Convalo Health International, Corp. (“Convalo”) and Patient Home Monitoring Corp. (“PHM”), which were both listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. After spinning off its VieMed business unit (now listed on Nasdaq), PHM uplisted to TSX and listed on Nasdaq under its new name Quipt Home Medical Corp. Mr. Heath was CEO of Convalo and was most recently the CEO of MedBright AI Investments Inc., a CSE listed issuer.
“I asked Michael Dalsin to step in as Chairman to help assess the opportunities in the fertility market,” said Dr. Kashkin. “This management team has deep contacts and knowledge in this market. Before joining Evome, our CEO, Mike Seckler, was global head of Marketing at Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Mr. Garbarini was COO at Conceivable Life Sciences, TMRW Life Sciences and Reproductive Medicine Associates of NJ. In each of their roles these two executives broke new ground and grew their businesses. The fertility market is quickly growing due to rising infertility rates caused by factors such as lifestyle changes and delayed childbearing. In addition, increasing awareness and acceptance of fertility treatments, along with advancements in reproductive technologies, are driving market growth.”
“I am grateful to Michael Dalsin, one of our biggest shareholders, for stepping into this leadership position,” said Mr. Seckler. “Bill and I are optimistic about finding additional opportunities in the fertility market. Michael’s experience in deal making will be invaluable in this effort.”
The Company and Mr. Dalsin plan to release a corporate update to the market before April 1, 2025.
Michael Dalsin Chairman Tel: 1 (800) 760-6826 Email: info@salonaglobal.com
Additional Information
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expects”, “believes”, “estimates”, “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “potential”, “will”, “seek”, “intend”, “plan”, and “anticipate”, and similar expressions as they relate to the Company.All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Company’s current views and intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company cautions that the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the general business and economic conditions in the regions in which the Company operates; the ability of the Company to execute on key priorities, including the successful completion of acquisitions, business retention, and strategic plans and to attract, develop and retain key executives; difficulty integrating newly acquired businesses; ongoing or new disruptions in the supply chain, the extent and scope of such supply chain disruptions, and the timing or extent of the resolution or improvement of such disruptions; the ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities; disruptions in or attacks (including cyber-attacks) on the Company’s information technology, internet, network access or other voice or data communications systems or services; the evolution of various types of fraud or other criminal behavior to which the Company is exposed; the failure of third parties to comply with their obligations to the Company or its affiliates; the impact of new and changes to, or application of, current laws and regulations; granting of permits and licenses in a highly regulated business; the overall difficult litigation environment, including in the United States; increased competition; changes in foreign currency rates; increased funding costs and market volatility due to market illiquidity and competition for funding; the availability of funds and resources to pursue operations; critical accounting estimates and changes to accounting standards, policies, and methods used by the Company; the occurrence of natural and unnatural catastrophic events and claims resulting from such events; as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company’s disclosure documents filed with United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, and with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.com. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SITI attends press conference of World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit in Beijing In addition to the highly acclaimed annual Wuzhen Summit, the WIC has designated Hong Kong for the first time to host the Asia-Pacific Summit. Organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and co-organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), the Summit will be held April 14 and 15 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme of “Integration of AI and Digital Technologies Shaping the Future – Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace”.
The Summit is expected to attract around 1,000 participants from the Mainland and overseas, including representatives from governments and enterprises, international organisations, leading corporations, experts and scholars. Through exploring the latest trends in various technology areas and in-depth exchanges of views and experiences, the Summit aims to enable all parties to seize the development opportunities brought about by digital and intelligent transformation, promoting high-quality development in innovation and technology (I&T), strengthening digital collaboration, and creating new momentum and new advantages for the development of the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr Ren said that the WIC has chosen to organise the Asia-Pacific Summit in Hong Kong to leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantage of global connectivity, fostering a cross-regional, cross-sector and cross-cultural dialogue platform to inject new impetus and create new opportunities for building an open, inclusive, innovative, connected and co-operative community with a shared future for the Asia-Pacific region.
Professor Sun expressed his gratitude to the WIC for choosing Hong Kong as the host city of the 2025 Summit, affirming Hong Kong’s pivotal role of bridging the country and the world as a dual platform. This creates a top-notch platform for exchanges, dialogue and co-operation in I&T, further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international I&T centre. The HKSAR Government endeavours to collaborate with the WIC in jointly making the Summit into the most influential regional I&T mega event. Professor Sun said he believes that the Summit will deepen regional co-operation in the I&T field, support Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T centre, as well as foster the vibrant development of the digital economy across the Asia-Pacific region.
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) – National Coordinating Institute, IIT Delhi, Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), and Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (PI, UBA) jointly organised three day stakeholders meet (11-13 March) for dissemination of CSIR technologies in Port Blair.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, known for their unique geography and ecological richness, face distinct challenges in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, water resources, healthcare, and disaster management. Despite their potential for sustainable development, limited infrastructure, underutilization of natural resources, and the lack of access to modern technologies hinder the region’s growth. However, with the application of innovative solutions, these challenges can be addressed effectively.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a leading research and development organization in India, has developed a wide array of technologies in key sectors such as agriculture, food processing technologies, bee farming and bee hive technologies, floriculture and AROMA mission, water purification technologies, water desalination technologies, fish processing, and more. The dissemination of these technologies could significantly contribute to the region’s sustainable development by creating livelihood opportunities and improving the overall quality of life.
To facilitate this, a three-day stakeholders meet was organized to discuss and disseminate CSIR technologies to address the region’s specific challenges. The event, set to take place from March 11-13, 2025, at Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM) in Port Blair, is jointly organized by CSIR-NIScPR, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) – National Coordinating Institute, IIT Delhi, Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), and JNRM. The objective of this event was to showcase CSIR technologies tailored to the socio-economic and ecological context of the region, facilitate dialogue among stakeholders, build collaborations and encourage partnerships for technology implementation, and provide capacity building through technology demonstrations and presentations. Key focus areas of the event included exploring CSIR’s solutions and their potential applications in the region like Floriculture Mission, AROMA Mission, Food Processing Technologies, Solar Drier Technology, Bee Farming and Beehive Technologies, Water Desalination Technologies, etc.
The meeting follows an earlier event held in January 2024 and aims to further explore the potential application of CSIR technologies to foster sustainable development in the region. The event was graced by a distinguished panel of experts.
The meet was inaugurated in the presence of Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director CSIR-NIScPR; Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director CSIR-CFTRI; Dr.Ajit Kumar Shasany, Director CSIR-NBRI. This occasion was graced by the Chief Guest Ms Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (Agriculture/ Animal Husbandry Coordinator CS Office) ED (ANIIDICO) and Guest of Honor Dr. Eknath B. Chakurkar, Director ICAR-CIARI. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Singh, Project Director UBA, Shri Sreeparasad Kuttan, organizing secretary VIBHA and Principal in charge JNRM also present in this meet. Scientists from CSIR-CFTRI, CSIR-IHBT, CSIR-CIMAP, CSIR-IICT, CSIR-CSMCRI, CSIR-NIEST, CSIR-NBRI, CSIR-TMD and NIOT, representative from NABARD, and as many as 150 representations from various SHGs participated in this meet.
Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal highlighted the concept behind the organizing this programme and explained that how interventions of CSIR technology might harness the potential of Andaman & Nicobar region and expressed her believe that effort behind meet would certainly be translated in technology implementation enriching the socioeconomic profile of the region. She noticed and remarked about the dominant participation of women in this meet. She discussed about the roles of the CSIR, UBA and VIBHA in working out providing S&T solutions at rural areas towards capacity building of rural regions. She thanked CSIR-CFTRI, CSIR-IHBT, CSIR-CIMAP, CSIR-IICT, CSIR-CSMCRI, CSIR-NIEST, CSIR-NBRI and NIOT for participating in this event along with CSIR-NIScPR.
Dr. K.C. Joshi, Principal in charge JNRM, welcomed the delegates and participants and highlighted the importance of technology intervention in rural development, which is very important especially in the Andaman & Nicobar region. He remarked that this would unlock the potential of this region.
Ms. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, extended for her being given this interactive platform and remarked this event is a landmark event bringing scientifically validated technologies in the land of Andaman & Nicobar region. She requested that all the stakeholders should actively engage in all technology dissemination sessions with the scientist to translate natural-resource potential of this region in value added products which may be promoted to international market. She further elaborated that technologies suitable for the socioeconomic development of the Andaman & Nicobar regions should be properly worked out, mapped, and catalogued during this meet. Additionally, she suggested that the scientific community should also workout on mapping of natural resources for which potential technologies may be developed in synergy with the traditional knowledge for producing value added products which may be promoted in the international market. She emphasized that the technologies may be promoted that forest-based products, animal based, sea based products, value added products from coconut, honey bee farming and value added products from honey those could be taken to international scale.
Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, delivered the Guest of Honor address, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between scientific research institutions and local authorities for the region’s sustainable development. Dr.Chakurkar, extended his thanks to organizers for inviting him in this crucial event and outlined the prior linkages ICAR-CIARI is having with UBA and VIBHA. He mentioned about the secondary agriculture, in which people are not directly involved with agriculture, such amul butter, sindoor plant, Arica net plate making business, etc. He asserted that this event is remarkable as many scientists have made themselves available to discuss with the stakeholders. He therefore requested all the stakeholders to make the maximum utilization of this opportunity.
Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director CSIR-CFTRI, expressed that she believes that CSIR-CFTRI technologies shall be of great importance for uplifting the quality of value added food products in this region. She mentioned briefly about the important technologies developed by CSIR-CFTRI such as Amul milk powder, spice oils and oleoresins, instant mixes etc. She emphasized the need of adopting the indigenous technologies for rural development. She exemplified the coconut based technologies of CSIR-CFTRI as one of the technology which implementation will be discussed in this meet considering the easy availability of coconut in this region. She mentioned and listed out several training programmes, incubation centers, and hand holding support CSIR-CFTRI has provisioned for rural capacity building.
Dr. Kandimuthu, extended his hearty welcomed dignitaries and introduced Padmashri Ms. Panchimal Nariayal Amma and Smt. Meenamal who are working in the Andaman & Nicobar regions at grass root level.
Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasney, Director CSIr-NBRI Lucknow, in very simple words, communicated the importance of technology and underlined the importance this event to the audience. He explained the efforts CSIR institutes are making multiple and sincere efforts towards the Lab-to-Land translation of rural technologies. He mentioned about the changes brought by organic khaad and bacteria-based solutions, substituting urea and pesticides, developed by CSIR-NBRI, which have potential applications in Andaman & Nicobar region.
Dr. P.K. Singh, project director UBA, highlighted the activities of UBA running over pan India. He mentioned about the various events UBA is conducting in collaboration with CSIR-NIScPR. He requested students aspiring towards rural developments to explore UBA projects which come twice in year. He further mentioned about various other activities UBA has undertaken to increase involvement of the faculties and student in rural development.
Shri Sreepasad MK, address this meet highlighting the role of VIBHA for uplifting the rural livelihood. He mentioned about the 38 chapters VIBHA has introduced pan India in various Indian states. He also mentioned about him being the representative of Andaman & Nicobar in VIBHA. He further exemplified the importance of this event and unique opportunities this event is going provide to stakeholders.
Dr. Yogesh Suman, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi, presented the activities undertaken for rural development through S&T interventions in the project ‘Creating livelihood opportunity through CSIR Technologies using UBA and VIBHA Network’. He also proposed the vote of thanks to all the experts, scientists, and participants.
MS. Kamachi Chellammal, Andaman’s ‘Nariyal Amma’ Padamshree awardee was also participated in the event and the scientist also visited to their agricultural forms for mapping of suitable technologies for their region.
The technical session 1 related to the Making Value Added products using Food Processing Technologies CSIR-CFTRI, presented by Dr Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Dr Aashitosh Inamdar, and Dr Pratap Singh Negi. The CSIR-CFTRI technologies suitable for Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with dissemination and adaptation strategies were presented in the session.
The technical session 2 related to exploring application of CSIR Technologies related to floriculture and AROMA mission in Andaman region were highlighted from Dr Ramesh Chandra Srivastava, Dr Rajesh Kumar Verma from CSIR-CIMAP, Dr Sukhjinder Singh from CSIR-IHBT Palampur and Dr. Manish Bhoyar, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow.
The technical session 3 of day 2 was started with Bee farming and Bee hive technologies for Andaman Region by presenting ‘Imporved Beehive Technology’ developed by CSIR-IHBT Palampur and presented by Dr Sukhjinder Singh, CSIR-IHBT Palampur. The application of Water Desalination Technology in Andaman Region presented by Dr S. Sreedhar CSIR-IICT Hyderabad and Dr. G. Venkatesan, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. Dr. Bhupendra Markam
CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhav Nagar presented the Application of decentralized solar thermal dryer for hygienic drying of Agri-food products and highlighted the suitability of this technology for agro-food products and fish drying for Andaman and Nicobar region. Overview of Funding Schemes available in NABARD Andaman region presented by Shri Pratap Singh, Assistant Manager NABARD, Andaman Region. The field visit was also organized to understand the issues and the technology mapping for the region.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with Lex Fridman in a podcast about various topics today. In a candid conversation, when asked about why he fasts and how he manages, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Lex Fridman for his gesture of fasting as a mark of respect for the PM. “In India, religious traditions are deeply intertwined with daily life”, said Shri Modi, adding that Hinduism is not merely about rituals but a philosophy guiding life, as interpreted by the Honorable Supreme Court of India. He emphasized that fasting is a tool for cultivating discipline and balancing the inner and outer self. The Prime Minister noted that fasting heightens the senses, making them more sensitive and aware. He observed that during fasting, one can perceive even subtle aromas and details more vividly. He also highlighted that fasting accelerates the thinking process, providing fresh perspectives and encouraging out-of-the-box thinking. Shri Modi clarified that fasting is not just about abstaining from food; it involves a scientific process of preparation and detoxification. He emphasized that he prepares his body for fasting by following Ayurvedic and yoga practices for several days beforehand and stressed the importance of hydration during this period. Once fasting begins, he views it as an act of devotion and self-discipline, allowing for deep introspection and focus. The Prime Minister shared that his practice of fasting originated from personal experience, starting with a movement inspired by Mahatma Gandhi during his school days. He felt a surge of energy and awareness during his first fast, which convinced him of its transformative power. He highlighted that fasting does not slow him down; instead, it often increases his productivity. He noted that during fasting, his thoughts flow more freely and creatively, making it an incredible experience for expressing himself.
On being asked how he carried out his role as a leader on the world stage, all fasted, and sometimes nine days, Shri Modi highlighted the ancient Indian tradition of Chaturmas, observed during the monsoon season when digestion naturally slows. He remarked that during this period, many Indians follow the practice of consuming only one meal a day. For him, this tradition begins around mid-June and continues until after Diwali in November, spanning four to four and a half months. He added that during the Navratri Festival in September or October, which celebrates strength, devotion, and spiritual discipline, he completely abstains from food and consumes only hot water for nine days. He further shared that during the Chaitra Navratri in March or April, he follows a unique fasting practice by consuming only one specific fruit once a day for nine days. For instance, if he chooses papaya, he eats only papaya throughout the fasting period. He emphasized that these fasting practices are deeply ingrained in his life and have been followed consistently for 50 to 55 years.
The Prime Minister remarked that his fasting practices were initially personal and not publicly known. However, they became more widely recognized after he became Chief Minister and Prime Minister, he added noting that he does not mind sharing his experiences now, as they might be beneficial to others, aligning with his life’s dedication to the well-being of others. He also shared an instance during a bilateral meeting at the White House with former President of USA, Mr. Barack Obama when he was fasting.
On being asked about his early life, the Prime Minister reflected on his birthplace, Vadnagar, Mehsana district in North Gujarat, highlighting its rich historical significance. He noted that Vadnagar was a major center for Buddhist learning, attracting figures like the Chinese philosopher Hiuen Tsang. He mentioned that the town was also a prominent Buddhist educational hub around the 1400s, highlighting that his village had a unique environment where Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu traditions co-existed harmoniously. He emphasized that history was not confined to books, as every stone and wall in Vadnagar told a story. During his tenure as Chief Minister, he initiated large-scale excavation projects that uncovered evidence dating back 2,800 years, proving the city’s continuous existence. Shri Modi remarked that these findings have led to the establishment of an international-level museum in Vadnagar, which is now a major area of study, especially for archaeology students. He expressed gratitude for being born in such a historically significant place, seeing it as his good fortune. The Prime Minister also shared aspects of his childhood, describing his family’s life in a small house without windows, where he grew up in extreme poverty. However, he added that they never felt the burden of poverty, as they had no basis for comparison. His father was disciplined and hardworking, known for his punctuality, he said. Shri Modi highlighted his mother’s hard work and her spirit of caring for others, which instilled in him a sense of empathy and service. He recalled how his mother would treat children with traditional remedies early in the morning, gathering them at their home, and emphasized that these experiences shaped his life and values. The Prime Minister noted that his journey into politics brought his humble beginnings to light, as media coverage during his oath-taking as Chief Minister revealed his background to the public. He expressed that his life’s experiences, whether seen as fortune or misfortune, have unfolded in a way that now informs his public life.
Shri Modi encouraged young people to remain patient and self-confident, emphasizing that challenges are part of life but should not define one’s purpose, when asked for his advice to the young people. He highlighted that difficulties are tests of endurance, meant to strengthen individuals rather than defeat them, adding that every crisis presents an opportunity for growth and improvement. The Prime Minister remarked that there are no shortcuts in life, using the analogy of railway station signs that warn against crossing tracks, stating, “Shortcut will cut you short.” He emphasized the importance of patience and perseverance in achieving success. He also stressed the need to pour one’s heart into every responsibility and live life with passion, finding fulfillment in the journey. Highlighting that abundance alone does not guarantee success, as even those with resources must continue to grow and contribute to society, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of never stopping learning, as personal growth is essential throughout life. He shared his own experience of learning from interactions at his father’s tea shop, which taught him the value of continuous learning and self-improvement. He noted that many people set big targets and feel disappointed if they fall short. He advised focusing on doing something rather than just becoming something, as this mindset allows for continued determination and progress toward goals. He emphasized that true contentment comes from what one gives, rather than what one gets, and encouraged young people to cultivate a mindset centered on contribution and service.
On being asked about his journey in the Himalayas, Shri Modi reflected on his upbringing in a small town, where community life was central. He often visited the local library, finding inspiration in books about figures like Swami Vivekananda and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This sparked a desire to shape his life similarly, leading him to experiment with his physical limits, such as sleeping outside in cold weather to test his endurance, he added. Highlighting the influence of Swami Vivekananda’s teachings, particularly a story where Vivekananda, despite needing help for his ill mother, could not bring himself to ask Goddess Kali for anything during meditation, an experience which instilled in Vivekananda a spirit of giving, Shri Modi said that this left an impression on him, stressing that true contentment comes from giving and serving others. He recalled an incident where he chose to stay behind and care for a saint during a family wedding, demonstrating his early inclination towards spiritual pursuits. He noted that seeing soldiers in his village inspired him to serve the nation, though he didn’t have a clear path at the time. The Prime Minister mentioned his deep longing to understand life’s meaning and his journey in exploring it. He highlighted his connection with saints like Swami Atmasthanandji, who guided him on the importance of serving society. He shared that during his time in the mission, he met remarkable saints who showered him with love and blessings. Shri Modi also spoke about his experiences in the Himalayas, where solitude and encounters with ascetics helped shape him and discover his inner strength. He emphasized the role of meditation, service, and devotion in his personal growth.
Sharing his experience with Swami Atmasthanandaji in Ramakrishna Mission which led him to a decision to live a life of service at every scale, Shri Modi said that while others may view him as the Prime Minister or Chief Minister, he remains deeply committed to spiritual principles, highlighting that his inner consistency is rooted in serving others, whether through helping his mother care for children, wandering in the Himalayas, or working from his current position of responsibility. The Prime Minister remarked that to him, there is no real difference between a saint and a leader, as both roles are guided by the same core values. He emphasized that while external aspects like attire and work may change, his dedication to service remains constant. He underlined that he carries out every responsibility with the same sense of calm, focus, and dedication.
Discussing about the impact that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has had on his early life, Prime Minister mentioned his childhood fascination with patriotic songs, particularly those sung by a man named Makoshi, who would visit his village with a tambourine. He said that these songs deeply touched him and played a role in his eventual involvement with RSS. He highlighted that the RSS instilled in him core values such as doing everything with a purpose, whether studying or exercising, to contribute to the nation. Shri Modi remarked that the RSS provides a clear direction toward a purpose in life, emphasizing that serving people is akin to serving God. He noted that the RSS is nearing its 100th anniversary and is a massive volunteer organization with millions of members worldwide. Highlighting various initiatives inspired by the RSS, such as Seva Bharati, which runs over 1,25,000 service projects in slums and settlements without government assistance, Shri Modi also mentioned Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, which has established over 70,000 one-teacher schools in tribal regions, and Vidya Bharati, which operates nearly 25,000 schools educating around 30 lakh students. He emphasized that the RSS prioritizes education and values, ensuring students remain grounded and learn skills to avoid becoming a burden on society. He highlighted the Indian Labor Union, which has millions of members across the country, adopting a unique approach by focusing on “workers unite the world,” contrasting with traditional labor movements. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the life values and purpose he gained from the RSS and the spiritual guidance he received from saints like Swami Atmasthananda.
On the topic of India, Shri Modi said that India is a cultural identity and a civilization that dates back thousands of years. Highlighting the vastness of India, with over 100 languages and thousands of dialects, emphasizing the saying that every 20 miles, the language, customs, cuisine, and clothing styles change, he said that despite this immense diversity, there is a common thread that unites the country. The Prime Minister highlighted the stories of Lord Ram, which resonate across India, and pointed out how names inspired by Lord Ram are found in every region, from Rambhai in Gujarat to Ramachandran in Tamil Nadu and Ram Bhau in Maharashtra. He remarked that this unique cultural bond unites India as one civilization. Shri Modi emphasized the ritual of remembering all the rivers of India during bathing, where people chant the names of rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri. He noted that this sentiment of unity is deeply ingrained in Indian traditions and is reflected in the resolutions made during important events and rituals, which also serve as historical records. Underlining the meticulous guidance of Indian scriptures in practices such as invoking the universe during ceremonies, starting from Jambudweep and narrowing down to the family deity, the Prime Minister remarked that these practices are still alive and observed daily across India. He observed that while Western and global models view nations as administrative systems, India’s unity lies in its cultural bonds. He noted that India has had varied administrative systems throughout history, but its unity has been preserved through cultural traditions. Shri Modi also underscored the role of pilgrimage traditions in maintaining India’s unity, mentioning Shankaracharya’s establishment of four pilgrimage sites. He remarked that even today, millions of people travel for pilgrimage, such as bringing water from Rameshwaram to Kashi and vice versa. He also pointed out the richness of India’s Hindu calendar, which reflects the country’s diverse traditions.
Discussing Mahatma Gandhi’s Legacy and India’s Struggle for Independence, the Prime Minister reiterated that he was born in Gujarat, with Gujarati as his mother tongue, just like Mahatma Gandhi. He highlighted that Gandhi, despite having opportunities abroad as an attorney, chose to devote his life to serving the people of India, guided by a deep sense of duty and family values. He emphasized that Gandhi’s principles and actions continue to influence every Indian to this day. Underlining Gandhi’s advocacy for cleanliness, noting that he practiced it himself and made it a central topic in his discussions, Shri Modi remarked on India’s long struggle for independence, during which the flame of freedom burned brightly across the nation despite centuries of colonial rule. Millions sacrificed their lives, enduring imprisonment and martyrdom, to ensure India’s freedom, he added. Shri Modi observed that while many freedom fighters made lasting impacts, it was Mahatma Gandhi who awakened the nation by leading a mass movement rooted in truth. He highlighted Gandhi’s ability to involve every individual in the freedom struggle, from sweepers to teachers, spinners, and caregivers. He remarked that Gandhi transformed ordinary citizens into soldiers for freedom, creating a movement so immense that the British could not fully comprehend it. He noted the significance of the Dandi March, where a pinch of salt sparked a revolution. The Prime Minister shared an anecdote from a Roundtable Conference, where Gandhi, dressed in his breechcloth, met King George at Buckingham Palace. He highlighted Gandhi’s witty remark, “Your king is wearing enough clothes for the both of us,” showcasing his whimsical charm. Shri Modi reflected on Gandhi’s call for unity and recognition of people’s strength, which continues to resonate. He emphasized his own commitment to including the common man in every initiative and fostering social change, rather than relying solely on the government.
Shri Modi further mentioned that Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy transcends centuries, emphasizing that his relevance endures to this day. He highlighted his own sense of responsibility, stating that his strength lies not in his name but in the backing of 140 crore Indians and thousands of years of timeless culture and heritage. “When I shake hands with a world leader, it’s not Modi, but 140 crore Indians doing so”, he added humbly. Recalling the widespread criticism he faced in 2013 when he was declared his party’s prime ministerial candidate, Shri Modi said that critics questioned his understanding of foreign policy and global geopolitics. He responded at the time, “India will neither allow itself to be looked down upon, nor will it ever look up to anyone. India will now see eye-to-eye with her counterparts.” He reaffirmed that this belief remains central to his foreign policy, emphasizing that the country always comes first. Prime Minister highlighted India’s long-standing advocacy for global peace and brotherhood, rooted in the vision of the world as one family. He remarked on India’s contributions to global initiatives, such as the concept of “One Sun, One World, One Grid” for renewable energy and “One Earth, One Health” for global healthcare, which extends to all flora and fauna. He emphasized the importance of fostering global well-being and called for collective efforts from the international community. Touching upon India’s hosting of the G20 Summit with the motto, “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” Shri Modi underscored the duty to share India’s timeless wisdom with the world. He remarked on the interconnected nature of today’s world, stating, “No country can thrive in isolation. We all depend upon one another.” He emphasized the need for synchronization and collaboration to propel global initiatives forward. He also addressed the relevance of global organizations like the United Nations, noting that their inability to evolve with the times has sparked a global debate on their effectiveness.
On the topic of the path to peace in Ukraine, Shri Modi said that he represents the land of Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, great souls whose teachings and actions were entirely dedicated to peace. He emphasized that India’s strong cultural and historical background ensures that when India speaks of peace, the world listens. He highlighted that Indians are not hardwired for conflict but instead espouse harmony, standing for peace and embracing the responsibility of peacemaking wherever possible. The Prime Minister reflected on his close relationships with both Russia and Ukraine, stating that he can engage with President Putin to emphasize that this is not the time for war and can also convey to President Zelensky that resolutions will not be achieved on the battlefield but through negotiations. He added that discussions must include both parties to be fruitful and noted that the current situation presents an opportunity for meaningful talks between Ukraine and Russia. Highlighting the suffering caused by the conflict, including its impact on the global south, which has faced crises in food, fuel, and fertilizer, the Prime Minister called for the global community to unite in the pursuit of peace. He reaffirmed his stance, stating, “I am not neutral. I have a stance, and that is peace, and peace is what I strive for.”
Discussing the topic of India and Pakistan relations, the Prime Minister touched upon the painful reality of India’s partition in 1947, highlighting the grief and bloodshed that followed. He described the harrowing sight of trains arriving from Pakistan filled with wounded people and corpses. He noted that despite expectations of harmonious coexistence, Pakistan chose a path of hostility, waging a proxy war against India. The Prime Minister questioned the ideology that thrives on bloodshed and terror, emphasizing that terrorism is a menace not just for India but for the world. He pointed out that the trail of terror often leads to Pakistan, citing the example of Osama bin Laden, who was found taking refuge there. He remarked that Pakistan has become an epicenter of turmoil and urged them to abandon state-sponsored terrorism. “What do you hope to gain by surrendering your nation to lawless forces?”, he questioned. Shri Modi shared his personal efforts to foster peace, including his visit to Lahore and the invitation extended to Pakistan for his swearing-in ceremony as Prime Minister. He highlighted this diplomatic gesture as a testament to India’s commitment to peace and harmony, as captured in the memoir of former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee. However, he noted that these efforts were met with hostility and betrayal.
Stressing on the unifying power of sports, Shri Modi said that they connect people on a deeper level and energize the world. He stated, “Sports play a major role in human evolution. They’re not just games; they bring people together across nations.” He noted that while he is not an expert in sports techniques, results often speak for themselves, as seen in a recent cricket match between India and Pakistan. The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s strong football culture, noting the impressive performance of the women’s football team and the progress of the men’s team. Reflecting on the past, he remarked that for the 1980s generation, Maradona was a true hero, while today’s generation immediately mentions Messi. Shri Modi shared a memorable visit to Shahdol, a tribal district in Madhya Pradesh, where he encountered a community deeply dedicated to football. He recounted meeting young players who proudly referred to their village as “mini Brazil,” a name earned through four generations of football tradition and nearly 80 national-level players. He noted that their annual football matches attract 20,000 to 25,000 spectators from nearby villages. He expressed optimism about the growing passion for football in India, stating that it not only fuels enthusiasm but also builds true team spirit.
On being asked about the President of the USA, H.E. Mr. Donald Trump, the Prime Minister reminisced about a memorable event, the “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston, where he and President Trump addressed a packed stadium. He remarked on President Trump’s humility, noting how he sat in the audience during Modi’s speech and later agreed to walk around the stadium with him, showcasing mutual trust and a strong bond. He highlighted President Trump’s courage and decision-making, recalling his resilience even after being shot during a campaign. Shri Modi reflected on his first visit to the White House, where President Trump broke formal protocols to personally give him a tour. He mentioned Trump’s deep respect for American history, as he shared details about past Presidents and significant moments without notes or assistance. He emphasized the strong trust and communication between them, which remained unshaken even during Trump’s absence from office. Remarking on President Trump’s graciousness in calling him a great negotiator, attributing it to Trump’s humility, the Prime Minister stated that his negotiation approach always prioritizes India’s interests, advocating positively without causing offense. He emphasized that his nation is his high command, and he honors the responsibility entrusted to him by the people of India. Highlighting his productive meetings with individuals like Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, Vivek Ramaswamy, and JD Vance during his recent visit to the United States, Shri Modi spoke of the warm, family-like atmosphere and shared his long-standing acquaintance with Elon Musk. He expressed happiness over Musk’s excitement about the DOGE mission and drew parallels to his own efforts to eliminate inefficiencies and harmful practices in governance since taking office in 2014. Prime Minister shared examples of governance reforms, including the removal of 10 crore fake or duplicate names from welfare schemes, saving massive amounts of money. He introduced direct benefit transfers to ensure transparency and eliminate middlemen, saving nearly three lakh crore rupees. He also launched the GeM portal for government purchases, reducing costs and improving quality. Additionally, he eliminated 40,000 unnecessary compliances and removed 1,500 outdated laws to streamline governance. He added that these bold changes have made India a topic of global discussion, just as innovative missions like DOGE capture worldwide attention.
On being asked about the bilateral relations with India and China, the Prime Minister emphasised their shared history of learning from each other and contributing to global good, highlighting that at one point, India and China together accounted for over 50% of the world’s GDP, showcasing their massive contributions. He noted the deep cultural connections, including the profound influence of Buddhism in China, which originated in India. Shri Modi stressed the importance of maintaining and strengthening the relationship between the two nations. He acknowledged that differences are natural between neighbors but stressed the need to prevent these differences from escalating into disputes. “Dialogue is the key to building a stable and cooperative relationship that benefits both nations”, he added. Addressing the ongoing border disputes, Prime Minister acknowledged the tensions that arose in 2020 but noted that his recent meeting with President Xi has led to a return to normalcy at the border. He highlighted efforts to restore conditions to pre-2020 levels and expressed optimism that trust, enthusiasm, and energy would gradually return. He emphasized that cooperation between India and China is essential for global stability and prosperity, advocating for healthy competition rather than conflict.
On global tensions, the Prime Minister reflected on the lessons from COVID-19, which exposed the limitations of every nation and underscored the need for unity. He remarked that instead of moving toward peace, the world has become more fragmented, leading to uncertainty and worsening conflicts. He highlighted the irrelevance of international organizations like the UN due to a lack of reforms and the disregard for international laws. Shri Modi called for a shift from conflict to cooperation, advocating for a development-driven approach as the way forward. He reiterated that expansionism will not work in an interconnected and interdependent world, emphasizing the need for nations to support one another. He expressed hope for the restoration of peace, noting the deep concern shared by global forums over ongoing conflicts.
On the topic of 2002 Gujarat riots, Shri Modi provided a detailed account of the volatile atmosphere leading up to it, highlighting a series of global and national crises, including the Kandahar hijacking, the Red Fort attack, and the 9/11 terror attacks. He remarked on the tense environment and the challenges he faced as a newly appointed Chief Minister, including overseeing rehabilitation after a devastating earthquake and managing the aftermath of the tragic Godhra incident. The Prime Minister addressed misconceptions about the 2002 riots, noting that Gujarat had a long history of communal violence before his tenure. He emphasized that the judiciary thoroughly investigated the matter and found him completely innocent. He highlighted that Gujarat has remained peaceful for 22 years since 2002, attributing this to a governance approach focused on development for all and trust from all. Talking about criticism, Shri Modi stated, “Criticism is the soul of democracy”, emphasising the importance of genuine, well-informed criticism, which he believes leads to better policy making. However, he expressed concern over the prevalence of baseless allegations, which he distinguished from constructive criticism. He remarked, “Allegations benefit no one; they just cause unnecessary conflicts.” The Prime Minister shared his perspective on journalism, advocating for a balanced approach. He recounted an analogy he once shared, comparing journalism to a bee that collects nectar and spreads sweetness but can also sting powerfully when necessary. He expressed disappointment over selective interpretations of his analogy, emphasizing the need for journalism to focus on truth and constructive impact rather than sensationalism.
Discussing his extensive experience in politics, highlighting his early focus on organizational work, managing elections, and strategizing campaigns, Shri Modi stated that for 24 years, the people of Gujarat and India have placed their trust in him, and he remains committed to honoring this sacred duty with unwavering dedication. He emphasized his government’s commitment to ensuring welfare schemes reach every citizen without discrimination based on caste, creed, faith, wealth, or ideology. He remarked that fostering trust is the cornerstone of his governance model, ensuring that even those not directly benefiting from schemes feel included and assured of future opportunities. “Our governance is rooted in the people, not the polls, and is dedicated to the well-being of citizens and the nation”, said the Prime Minister, sharing his perspective of revering the nation and its people as manifestations of the Divine, likening his role to that of a devoted priest serving the people. He emphasized his lack of conflicts of interest, noting that he has no friends or relatives who stand to gain from his position, which resonates with the common man and builds trust. The Prime Minister expressed pride in belonging to the world’s largest political party, which he credited to the tireless efforts of millions of dedicated volunteers. He remarked that these volunteers, devoted to the welfare of India and its citizens, have no personal stakes in politics and are widely recognized for their selfless service. He highlighted that this trust in his party is reflected in election results, which he attributes to the blessings of the people.
Further talking about the incredible logistics of conducting elections in India, citing the 2024 general elections as an example, Shri Modi highlighted that there were 98 crore registered voters, surpassing the population of North America and the European Union combined. Out of these, 64.6 crore voters braved intense heat to cast their votes, he added. He noted that India had over one million polling booths and more than 2,500 registered political parties, showcasing the scale of its democracy. He emphasized that even the remotest villages had polling stations, with helicopters used to transport voting machines to inaccessible areas. He shared anecdotes, such as a polling booth set up in Gujarat’s Gir Forest for a single voter, underscoring India’s commitment to democracy. The Prime Minister praised the Election Commission of India for setting a global benchmark in conducting free and fair elections. He remarked that the management of Indian elections should be studied as a case study by top universities worldwide, given the immense depth of political awareness and logistical excellence involved.
Reflecting on his leadership, Shri Modi stated that he identifies himself as a “prime servant” rather than a Prime Minister, with service as the guiding principle of his work ethic. He emphasized that his focus is on productivity and bringing positive change to people’s lives, rather than seeking power. He remarked, “I entered politics not to play power games, but to serve.”
Addressing the notion of loneliness, the Prime Minister shared that he never experiences it, as he believes in the philosophy of “one plus one,” representing himself and the Almighty. He remarked that serving the nation and its people is akin to serving the divine. During the pandemic, he stayed engaged by designing a governance model through videoconferencing and personally connecting with party volunteers aged 70 and above, inquiring about their well-being and reliving old memories, he added.
On being asked the secret about hard work, Shri Modi remarked that his motivation comes from observing the hard work of people around him, including farmers, soldiers, laborers, and mothers who tirelessly dedicate themselves to their families and communities. He stated, “How can I sleep? How can I relax? The motivation is right in front of my eyes.” He emphasized that the responsibilities entrusted to him by his fellow citizens push him to give his absolute best. He recalled the promises he made during his 2014 campaign: to never fall behind in hard work for the country, to never act with bad intentions, and to never do anything for personal gain. He affirmed that he has upheld these standards throughout his 24 years as head of government. Prime Minister highlighted that his inspiration comes from serving 140 crore people, understanding their aspirations, and addressing their needs. He remarked, “I am always determined to do as much as I can, work as hard as possible. Even today, my energy remains just as strong.”
Expressing his deep respect for Srinivasa Ramanujan, widely regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time, Shri Modi remarked that Ramanujan’s life and work exemplify the profound connection between science and spirituality. He highlighted Ramanujan’s belief that his mathematical ideas were inspired by the goddess he worshiped, emphasizing that such ideas emerge from spiritual discipline. He stated, “Discipline is more than just hard work; it means fully devoting yourself to a task and completely immersing yourself into it so much that you become one with your work.” The Prime Minister underscored the importance of being open to diverse sources of knowledge, noting that this openness fosters the emergence of new ideas. He emphasized the distinction between information and knowledge, stating, “Some people mistakenly confuse information with knowledge. Knowledge is something deeper; it gradually evolves through processing, reflection, and understanding.” He highlighted the need to recognize this difference in order to handle both effectively.
Discussing the factors influencing his decision-making, Shri Modi highlighted his extensive travel across 85-90% of India’s districts before his current role. He emphasized that these experiences provided him with firsthand knowledge of grassroots realities. He stated, “I carry no baggage that weighs me down or forces me to act a certain way.” He shared that his guiding principle is “My country first,” and he draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s wisdom of considering the poorest person’s face when making decisions. The Prime Minister highlighted his well-connected administration, noting that his numerous and active information channels provide him with diverse perspectives. He remarked, “When someone comes to brief me, that’s not my only source of information.” He also emphasized maintaining a learner’s mindset, asking questions like a student and playing devil’s advocate to analyze issues from multiple angles. Shri Modi shared his decision-making process during the COVID-19 crisis, where he resisted pressure to follow global economic theories blindly. He stated, “I wouldn’t let the poor sleep hungry. I wouldn’t allow social tensions to arise over basic daily needs.” He emphasized that his approach, rooted in patience and discipline, helped India avoid severe inflation and emerge as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world. The Prime Minister highlighted his risk-taking capacity, stating, “If something is right for my country, for the people, I’m always prepared to take the risk.” He emphasized taking ownership of his decisions, remarking, “If something goes wrong, I don’t shift blame to others. I stand up, take responsibility, and own the outcome.” He noted that this approach fosters deep commitment within his team and builds trust among citizens. “I can make mistakes, but I won’t act with bad intentions”, he added, emphasising that society accepts him for his honest intentions, even if outcomes do not always go as planned.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) development is fundamentally a collaborative effort, no nation can develop AI entirely on its own”, emphasised Shri Modi when asked about the role of India in promoting AI. He stated, “No matter what the world does with AI, it will remain incomplete without India.” He highlighted India’s active work on AI-driven applications for specific use cases and its unique marketplace-based model to ensure broad accessibility. He noted that India’s vast talent pool is its greatest strength, remarking, “Artificial intelligence is fundamentally powered, shaped, and guided by human intelligence, and that real intelligence exists abundantly in India’s youth.” The Prime Minister shared an example of India’s rapid progress in 5G rollout, which surpassed global expectations. He highlighted the cost-effectiveness of India’s space missions, such as Chandrayaan, which cost less than a Hollywood blockbuster, showcasing India’s efficiency and innovation. He emphasized that these achievements generate global respect for Indian talent and reflect India’s civilizational ethos. Shri Modi also reflected on the success of Indian-origin leaders in global tech, attributing it to India’s cultural values of dedication, ethics, and collaboration. He remarked, “People raised in India, especially those from joint families and open societies, find it easier to lead complex tasks and large teams effectively.” He highlighted the problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking of Indian professionals, which make them globally competitive. Addressing concerns about AI replacing humans, the Prime Minister remarked that technology has always advanced alongside humanity, with humans adapting and staying a step ahead. He stated, “Human imagination is the fuel. AI can create many things based on that, but no technology can ever replace the boundless creativity and imagination of the human mind.” He emphasized that AI challenges humans to reflect on what it truly means to be human, highlighting the innate human ability to care for one another, which AI cannot replicate.
Touching upon the topic of Education, Exams, and Student Success, Shri Modi said that the societal mindset places undue pressure on students, with schools and families often measuring success by rankings. He emphasized that this mentality has led children to believe their entire lives depend on 10th and 12th-grade exams. He highlighted the significant changes introduced in India’s new education policy to address these issues and shared his commitment to easing students’ burdens through initiatives like Pariksha Pe Charcha. The Prime Minister emphasized that exams should not be the sole measure of a person’s potential, stating, “Many people may not score high academically, yet can hit a century in cricket because that’s where their true strength lies.” He shared anecdotes from his school days, highlighting innovative teaching methods that made learning enjoyable and effective. He noted that such techniques have been incorporated into the new education policy. Shri Modi advised students to perform every task with dedication and sincerity, emphasizing that enhanced skills and capabilities open doors to success. He encouraged young people not to feel discouraged, stating, “There’s certainly some task out there destined just for you. Focus on enhancing your skills, and opportunities will come.” He highlighted the importance of connecting one’s life to a greater purpose, which brings inspiration and meaning. Addressing stress and difficulties, the Prime Minister urged parents to stop using their children as status symbols and to understand that life is not just about exams. He advised students to prepare well, trust their abilities, and approach exams with confidence. He emphasized the importance of systematic time management and regular practice to overcome challenges during exams. He reaffirmed his belief in every individual’s unique capabilities, encouraging students to maintain trust in themselves and their abilities to succeed.
Prime Minister also shared his approach to learning, emphasizing the importance of being fully present in the moment. He remarked, “Whenever I meet someone, I am fully present in the moment. This complete focus allows me to grasp new concepts quickly.” He encouraged others to embrace this habit, stating that it sharpens the mind and improves learning ability. He highlighted the value of practice, remarking, “You cannot master driving merely by reading the life stories of great drivers. You must get behind the wheel and take the road yourself.” Shri Modi reflected on the certainty of death, emphasizing the importance of embracing life, enriching it with purpose, and letting go of the fear of death, as it is inevitable. He remarked, “Commit to enriching, refining, and elevating your life so you can live fully and with a purpose before death comes knocking.”
Prime Minister expressed his optimism about the future, stating that pessimism and negativity are not part of his mindset. He highlighted humanity’s resilience in overcoming crises and embracing change throughout history. He remarked, “In every era, it is in human nature to adapt to the ever-flowing current of change.” He emphasized the potential for extraordinary breakthroughs when people break free from outdated thinking patterns and embrace transformation.
Speaking on the topics of Spirituality, Meditation, and Universal Well-Being, Shri Modi highlighted the significance of the Gayatri Mantra, describing it as a powerful tool for spiritual enlightenment dedicated to the radiant power of the sun. He remarked that many Hindu mantras are deeply intertwined with science and nature, bringing profound and lasting benefits when chanted daily. The Prime Minister emphasised that meditation was about freeing oneself from distractions and being present in the moment. He recounted an experience from his time in the Himalayas, where a sage taught him to focus on the rhythmic sound of water droplets falling onto a bowl. He described this practice as “divine resonance,” which helped him develop concentration and evolve into meditation. Reflecting on Hindu philosophy, Shri Modi quoted mantras emphasizing the interconnectedness of life and the importance of universal well-being. He remarked, “Hindus never focus solely on individual well-being. We wish for the well-being and prosperity of all.” He highlighted that every Hindu mantra concludes with the invocation of peace, symbolizing the essence of life and the spiritual practices of sages. The Prime Minister concluded by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share his thoughts, noting that the conversation allowed him to explore and articulate ideas he had long kept within himself.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates Star-Packed First-Ever Fit India Carnival Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana joined the celebrations alongside wrestling champion Sangram Singh, renowned wellness expert Mickey Mehta, former WWE wrestler Shanky Singh and Guinness World Record holder Rohtash Chaudhary
Posted On: 16 MAR 2025 9:45PM by PIB Delhi
The much-anticipated Fit India Carnival kicked off with a grand inauguration at the JLN Stadium in New Delhi today, setting the stage for three days of high-energy fitness and wellness activities. The event was graced by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, and adding a touch of star power, Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana joined the celebrations alongside wrestling champion Sangram Singh, renowned wellness expert Mickey Mehta, former WWE wrestler Shanky Singh and Guinness World Record holder Rohtash Chaudhary.
Inaugurating the first-of-its-kind three-day event today, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of fitness in nation-building. “This is a start to make sports a culture and amplify the message of fitness among all. We want to start this as a movement like the Sundays on Cycle. We want to have the Fit India Carnival organised in other towns and cities across India. This is not just a fitness but a wellness carnival with focus on mental health, emotional wealth, nutrition and more.”
Ayushmann Khurrana, honoured as a ‘Fit India Icon’ at the event, shared his thoughts on the significance of health and wellness. “Health is Wealth – everyone knows this and I feel a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. The Fit India Movement, launched by the Government of India, is aimed at promoting physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle among its citizens. I thank the PM of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji for his sharp vision to making India fitter and the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya for his relentless work towards this key national goal,” he said.
The evening began with electrifying performances of Kalaripayattu, Gatka and Mallakhamb, showcasing India’s rich martial arts heritage. Set to continue over the next two days, the carnival features an exciting lineup of sports and fitness challenges, including rope skipping, arm wrestling, cricket bowling, push-up and squat competitions. Additionally, experts from the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR) are offering free health assessments, including nutrition and psychological consultations for attendees.
A special highlight of the evening was the launch of the book, “Benefits of Cycling”, curated by the NCSSR team to underscore the importance of incorporating cycling into daily routines for a healthier lifestyle. Union Minister also led a thought-provoking Q&A session with the fitness icons, further reinforcing the importance of an active lifestyle.
The fitness-packed evening also saw a thrilling cultural segment, ‘Fitness through Dance,’ captivating the audience with energetic performances. The event’s interactive session also witnessed Ayushmann Khurrana, Sangram Singh, and Mickey Mehta engaging in a fun fitness challenge, inspiring attendees to push their limits.
The event concluded with Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya visiting various stalls showcasing the health and wellness initiatives.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chairs review meeting on the status of implementation of three New Criminal Laws in North-Eastern states in Guwahati The Modi Government is committed to providing speedy justice and transparent justice system to the people of the North-East
All the states of the North-East should ensure training of 100% police personnel on the New Criminal Laws
Home Minister says the police in the North-Eastern states should focus more on ensuring the rights of the people
Assam has set a commendable example by filing charge sheets in 66% of cases within the prescribed time frame of 60-90 days, other states should also adopt this approach
The provision of ‘Trial in Absentia’ should be used, which will help in bringing back fugitive criminals to the country
There should be no political interference of any kind in registering cases of terrorism, mob lynching and organized crime
Home Minister also released the book ‘New Criminal Laws: Standard Operating Procedures and Rules’ prepared by CID, Assam
Posted On: 16 MAR 2025 9:36PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chaired a review meeting on the status of implementation of three New Criminal Laws in North-Eastern states in Guwahati today. The Home Minister also unveiled a book titled ‘New Criminal Laws: Standard Operating Procedures and Rules’ prepared by CID, Assam.
The meeting reviewed the implementation and present status of various new provisions related to police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensics in the North-Eastern states. The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, alongwith the Governor of Manipur. Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police of North-Eastern states, the Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), the Director of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and other senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the state governments also attended the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government is committed to providing the citizens with a speedy and transparent justice system. He emphasized that to strengthen law and order, it is essential to register crimes without any delay.
Shri Amit Shah said that the North-Eastern states need to put in more efforts towards the implementation of the new criminal laws. He stated that once these laws are fully enforced, there will be a significant transformation in the region’s law and order situation, ensuring that justice is delivered by the Supreme Court within three years of an FIR being registered in any case.
Union Home Minister said that there should be no political interference in registering cases related to terrorism, mob lynching, and organized crime. He said that all North-Eastern states should ensure training of 100% police personnel on the new criminal laws.
Shri Amit Shah requested the Chief Ministers of the North-Eastern states to hold a review meeting every month on the implementation of the laws. He also directed the Director Generals of Police and Chief Secretaries of the states to conduct a review meeting every 15 days.
Union Home Minister said that the administration must reach the grassroots level, and police stations should become places where people receive justice. He emphasized that this would only be possible with 100% implementation of three new laws. He congratulated the Assam government for ensuring filing of charge sheet within the stipulated time frame of 60-90 days in 66% cases and urged other states to follow this approach. He stressed the need for continuous monitoring of progress in this regard. The Home Minister also emphasized the urgent need for the implementation of e-Sakshya. He stated that until there are sufficient scientific officers, it will not be possible to file fully satisfactory charge sheets from a forensic science perspective. He further urged use of “Trial in Absentia” provision, which will help bring fugitive criminals back to the country.
Shri Amit Shah said that the stronger the Director of Prosecution is made, the easier it will be to ensure justice for the people. He noted that, for a long time, the police in the North-East were primarily focused on fighting insurgency. However, with insurgency now nearly eradicated in the region, the police should shift their focus toward protecting people’s lives, property, and dignity. Shri Shah further stated that the Modi government introduced three new laws after an extensive and detailed deliberation process spanning nearly 45 months.
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
03.14.25
Cantwell Statement on Voting Against GOP’s Continuing Resolution Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate voted on a Continuing Resolution (CR) bill written by House Republicans that would fund the government through Sept. 30, while making cuts to important programs and ceding more authority over federal spending to the Trump Administration.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, voted against the CR. She gave the following statement:
“I am not going to vote for a partisan funding bill that makes deep cuts to essential government functions. This bill endangers the health of Americans by cutting $280 million from the National Institutes of Health; jeopardizes the state of Washington’s maritime economy by slashing the Army Corps of Engineers by 44 percent; and impacts our farmers by cutting $57 million from important USDA’s Agriculture Research Services account. A bipartisan congressional effort to finish all appropriations bills would have delivered better results for taxpayers.
Congress has the authority and responsibility to direct federal spending based on the needs of their constituents. Turning that work over to the White House puts important programs like NOAA experts working on salmon recovery or creating weather forecasts at risk.”
At the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, is on an Official Visit to India on 16-20 March 2025. Prime Minister Luxon, who is on his first visit to India in his current capacity, is visiting New Delhi and Mumbai, and is accompanied by Hon. Louise Upston, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Hon. Mark Mitchell, Minister for Ethnic Communities, and Sport and Recreation, and Hon. Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment, Agriculture, and Forestry, and a high-level delegation comprising of officials, and representatives of businesses, community diaspora, media and cultural groups.
Prime Minister Luxon was accorded a warm and traditional welcome in New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Luxon. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue on 17 March 2025 in New Delhi with Prime Minister Luxon as the Chief Guest delivering the Inaugural Keynote Address. The Prime Minister laid a wreath at Raj Ghat Mahatma Gandhi Memorial and also called on President Droupadi Murmu.
The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their shared desire to further strengthen the growing bilateral relationship between India and New Zealand which is anchored in shared democratic values and robust people-to-people ties. Both leaders recognized that there remains significant potential for further growth in the bilateral relationship and agreed to cooperate closely in diverse areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, education and research, science and technology, agri-tech, space, mobility of people and sports.
The Prime Ministers exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest and agreed to strengthen multilateral cooperation. The Prime Ministers recognised that we face an increasingly uncertain and dangerous world. They noted that, as maritime nations, India and New Zealand have a strong and common interest in an open, inclusive, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where the rules-based international order is upheld.
The Prime Ministers reaffirmed the right of freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Prime Ministers reaffirmed the need to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS.
The Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the strong connections between the people of the two countries, with Indian-origin people making up almost six percent of New Zealand’s population. They appreciated the significant contribution of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand and their positive role in facilitating people-to-people ties between the two countries. Both leaders agreed on the significance of ensuring the safety and security of the Indian community, including students, in New Zealand, and of New Zealanders in India and visitors to India.
Cooperation in trade, investment and financial matters:
The Prime Ministers welcomed sustained trade and investment flows between India and New Zealand and called for further exploring the potential to expand bilateral trade. They encouraged businesses on both sides to cultivate links; explore emerging economic and investment opportunities to build upon the complementarities of the two economies.
The Leaders called for greater two-way investment, reflective of the ongoing strong momentum in bilateral cooperation.
The Prime Ministers agreed to enhance the trade and investment relationship between India and New Zealand to realise its untapped potential and to contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the launch of FTA negotiations for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial trade agreement to achieve deeper economic integration. The Leaders agreed that a comprehensive trade agreement offers a significant opportunity to enhance trade and economic cooperation. By leveraging each country’s strengths, addressing their respective concerns, and tackling challenges, a bilateral trade agreement can foster mutually beneficial trade and investment growth, ensuring equitable gains and complementarities for both sides. The Leaders committed to designate senior representatives to steer these negotiations to resolution as soon as reasonably possible.
Within the context of FTA negotiations, the Leaders agreed to discussions between respective authorities on both sides to explore early implementation of cooperation in the digital payments sector.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Authorized Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AEO-MRA) under the aegis of the Customs Cooperation Arrangement (CCA) signed in 2024, which would facilitate easier movement of goods between the two countries by our respective trusted traders through close cooperation between customs authorities, thereby boosting bilateral trade.
The Leaders welcomed new cooperation on horticulture and forestry, including: the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Horticulture which would enhance bilateral cooperation by promoting knowledge and research exchanges, development of post-harvest and marketing infrastructure; and the signing of a Letter of Intent on Forestry Cooperation that encourages policy dialogues and technical exchanges.
The Leaders recognized the positive role played by tourism in generating economic growth, increasing business engagements and generating greater understanding between people of the two countries. They welcomed the growing flows of tourists between India and New Zealand. They appreciated the update to the India-New Zealand Air Services Agreement and agreed to encourage their carriers for commencement of direct (non-stop) flight operations between the two countries.
Political, defence and security cooperation:
The Prime Ministers recognised the significance of parliamentary exchanges and encouraged regular visits of parliamentary delegations between the two countries.
The Prime Ministers acknowledged the shared history of sacrifice of Indian and New Zealand service personnel who fought and served alongside one another around the world over the past century.
The Prime Ministers welcomed sustained progress in defence engagements, including through participation in military exercises, staff college exchanges, regular port calls by naval ships, and exchange of high-level defence delegations. They recalled that the Indian Naval sailing vessel Tarini made a port call at Lyttelton, Christchurch, New Zealand in December 2024. They also referred to the upcoming port call in Mumbai by the Royal New Zealand Navy Ship HMNZS Te Kaha.
Both Leaders welcomed the signing of the India-New Zealand Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation. This will further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and establish regular bilateral defence engagement. Both sides noted the need for ensuring the safety and security of sea lanes of communication and agreed there needs to be regular dialogue to discuss enhancement of maritime safety.
New Zealand welcomed India joining the Combined Maritimes Forces. Both Leaders welcomed advancement in defence ties during New Zealand command of Command Task Force 150.
Both Leaders appreciated the regular training exchanges of officers, including at Defence Colleges on reciprocal basis. Both sides agreed for enhanced capacity building cooperation.
Prime Minister Luxon expressed New Zealand’s interest in joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). Prime Minister Modi welcomed New Zealand into this partnership with like-minded countries which seek to manage, conserve and sustain the maritime domain. Further cooperation as maritime nations is also being explored between India and New Zealand with discussions taking place between experts on the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) which is being established at Lothal, Gujarat.
Cooperation in science & technology and disaster management:
The two Leaders noted the significance of research, scientific connections, technology partnerships and innovation as an important pillar of the bilateral partnership and called for exploring such opportunities in mutual interest. Both sides stressed the need for stronger collaboration to develop and commercialize technologies in identified areas through closer collaboration between businesses, and industries.
The two sides recognized the challenges for their economies presented by climate change and the transition to low emissions climate resilient economies. Prime Minister Luxon welcomed India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and reiterated New Zealand’s strong support as a member since 2024. Prime Minister Modi welcomed New Zealand joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which aims at making systems and infrastructure resilient in order to achieve the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The two Leaders welcomed work towards a Memorandum of Cooperation on earthquake mitigation cooperation between relevant authorities of India and New Zealand, which would facilitate inter alia exchange of experiences in earthquake preparedness, emergency response mechanism, and capacity building.
Education, mobility, sports and people to people ties:
Both Prime Ministers agreed that there exists great potential to further strengthen the growing education and community links between India and New Zealand. They encouraged academic institutions of both countries to build future-oriented partnerships focused on areas of mutual interest including in areas of science, innovation, new and emerging technologies.
The Leaders encouraged the creation of further opportunities for Indian students seeking quality education programmes in New Zealand. They noted the significance of skill development and mobility of skilled personnel to support expanded engagement in sectors, including science, innovation, and new and emerging technologies. The two Leaders agreed, within the context of the trade agreement negotiations, which the Leaders have agreed to launch, to also launch negotiations on an arrangement facilitating the mobility of professionals and skilled workers between the two countries, while also addressing the issue of irregular migration.
The Leaders welcomed the signature of the refreshed Education Cooperation Arrangement between the Indian Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Ministry of Education. This Arrangement will facilitate the continued exchange of information on India’s and New Zealand’s respective education systems as the basis for strengthening the bilateral education relationship.
The Leaders noted that India and New Zealand enjoy close sporting links, particularly in cricket, hockey and other Olympic sports. They welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Sports to foster greater sporting engagement and collaboration between countries. They also welcomed the “Sporting Unity” events planned in 2026, to recognise and celebrate 100 years of sporting contact between India and New Zealand.
The Prime Ministers acknowledged the importance of robust systems of traditional medicine in India and New Zealand, and welcomed discussions between experts, including science and research experts, on both sides to understand and explore possible areas of cooperation, including through sharing of information and best practices and visits of experts.
Both Prime Ministers noted the growing interest among New Zealanders in Yoga and Indian music and dance, as well as the free observance of Indian festivals. They encouraged further promotion of bilateral ties including through music, dance, theatre, films, and festivals.
Cooperation in regional and multilateral fora:
Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting an open, inclusive, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.
The Leaders noted cooperation between India and New Zealand in various regional fora, including ASEAN-led fora such as the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus and the ASEAN Regional Forum. The Leaders reaffirmed the importance of these regional bodies and ASEAN centrality for furthering security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and emphasised the importance of all parties maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Both Leaders emphasized on the importance of an effective multilateral system, centered on a United Nations that is reflective of contemporary realities, as a key factor in tackling global challenges. The two sides stressed the need for UN reforms, including of the Security Council through expansion in its membership, to make it more representative, credible and effective. New Zealand endorsed India’s candidature for permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. The two sides agreed to explore the possibility of extending mutual support to each other’s candidatures at the multilateral fora.
Both Leaders emphasized the importance of upholding the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, and acknowledged the value of India joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group in context of predictability for India’s clean energy goals and its non-proliferation credentials.
Both Leaders reaffirmed their firm support for peace and stability in the Middle East and welcomed the agreement for the release of hostages and ceasefire of January 2025. They reiterated their call for continued negotiations to secure a permanent peace, which includes the release of all hostages and the rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza. Both Leaders stressed the importance of a negotiated two-State solution, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent state of Palestine, and living within secure and mutually recognized borders, side by side in peace and security with Israel.
The Leaders exchanged views on the war in Ukraine and expressed support for a just and lasting peace based on respect for international law, principles of the UN charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The two Leaders reiterated their absolute condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and the use of terrorist proxies in cross-border terrorism. Both stressed the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, measurable, and concrete action against UN-proscribed terrorist organizations and individuals. They called for disrupting of terrorism financing networks and safe havens, dismantling of terror infrastructure, including online, and bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. The two leaders agreed to cooperate in combating terrorism and violent extremism through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms.
The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the progress in ongoing bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen and deepen the bilateral partnership for mutual benefit as well as for the benefit of the Indo-Pacific Region. They called for exploring the potential to deepen bilateral engagement and explore new avenues of cooperation, including in the fields of green and agriculture technologies.
Prime Minister Luxon thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Government and the people of India for the warmth and hospitality extended to him and to the members of his delegation during his Official Visit to India. Prime Minister Luxon invited Prime Minister Modi to undertake a reciprocal visit to New Zealand.
Secretary Department of Science and Technology (DST) Professor Abhay Karandikar who was acting as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) handed over the charge to Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman who has been appointed CEO.
With this, Dr. Shivkumar assumes charge of the CEO of ANRF which aims to seed, grow and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
Dr. Shivkumar who earlier held the post of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Energy Industry, Asia at Microsoft is a Distinguished Alumnus Awardee of IIT Madras & Ohio State University (2021). He is also a Fellow of the IEEE (2010), Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (2015), ACM Distinguished Scientist (2010), Microsoft Gold Club (2024) and Technology Review TR100 young innovator (1999).
ANRF will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP).
ANRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions, and create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and State governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries.
As announced in the Clean Industrial Deal and by the Commissioner of energy and housing during his structured dialogue in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy on 20 February 2025, the Commission is committed to present an EU fusion strategy this mandate.
The need for an EU fusion strategy is also advocated in the Draghi report[1], and called for by EU’s fusion community. Such a strategy should leverage Europe’s leadership in the ITER[2] project and in fusion technology, in consultation with stakeholders.
The Commission has already started such consultations and in 2024 set up a dedicated Expert Group with representatives from interested Member States to advise on steps towards the development of a specific regulatory framework and options for fostering industrial innovation through fusion research and development.
The Commission is engaging with European fusion industry and research organisations to explore ways for the involvement of private industry, including the possibility to reinforce cooperation and sharing of knowledge with ITER, and to create a European Technology and Innovation Platform.
In this framework, the Commission is preparing to launch a public-private partnership and is working with the European Innovation Council to support commercial fusion start-ups.
Since 2014 , under the Euratom Research and Training Programme, the EUROfusion[3] partnership has played a pivotal role in advancing and coordinating Europe’s fusion research efforts.
Its Research and Development roadmap,[4] which focuses on ITER programme, the demonstration power plant (DEMO), and materials testing facility IFMIF-DONES[5], serves as the foundation for fusion research in Europe, leveraging Europe’s expertise in magnetic confinement fusion.
[2] ITER is an international collaboration project developing frontier science in energy technology that aims to demonstrate the technical and scientific feasibility of fusion as a future source of carbon-free energy.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
On March 17, the director of the Department of Economics and Finance of SPbPU, Doctor of Economic Sciences Elena Vinogradova, celebrates her anniversary.
We congratulate Elena Borisovna and take this opportunity to say that the university is proud of such a specialist – passionate, purposeful, talented.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
9th India-Australia Defence Policy Talks held in New Delhi Focus on cooperation in maritime domain awareness, reciprocal information sharing, industry and science & technology collaboration
Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 4:19PM by PIB Delhi
The ninth edition of India-Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on March 17, 2025. The Indian delegation was headed by Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad, while the Australian side was led by First Assistant Secretary International Policy Division, Department of Defence Australia Mr Bernard Philip.
Both sides welcomed sustained progress in bilateral defence cooperation, including the growing frequency and complexity of defence exercises & exchanges. It included several first-time milestones, finalisation of key agreements and participation in each other’s major defence trade expositions.
The meeting reviewed defence outcomes of second Ministerial Foreign and Defence Ministers’ 2+2 in November 2023, inter-sessional 2+2 consultations at Secretary-level in October 2024 and the second Annual Leaders’ Summit in November 2024. The discussions focused on cooperation priorities including maritime domain awareness, reciprocal information sharing, industry and science and technology collaboration and exercises and exchanges including deployments from each other’s territories. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
India and Australia are committed to working together to promote a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
The two sides agreed on priorities and preparations for the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue to be held in Australia in 2025. They reiterated their commitment to work on formulating long-term vision of defence and security collaboration between the two countries as envisioned by both Prime Ministers to enhance collective strength, contribute to both countries’ security and make an important contribution to regional peace and security.
Both countries also explored the possibilities of defence industry collaboration. They called upon the respective agencies on both sides for acceleration cooperation in field of defence science and technology collaboration. They also agreed to further deepen cooperation and interoperability across maritime, land and air domains, including working with multilateral partners.
Over the years, defence has emerged as an important pillar of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic partnership. The eighth edition of Defence Policy Talks was held in 2023.
As part of the visit, the Australian delegation will visit Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai. The Australian co-chair will call on Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh on March 18, 2025.
Q4 FY25 revenues of $1.84 billion, 5.8% organic growth(1); FY25 revenues of $7.48 billion, 3.1% organic growth(1); organic growth adjusted for divestitures
Q4 FY25 net income of $98 million, adjusted EBITDA(1) of $177 million or 9.6% of revenue; FY25 net income of $362 million, adjusted EBITDA(1) of $710 million or 9.5% of revenue
Q4 FY25 diluted earnings per share of $2.00, adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) of $2.57; FY25 diluted earnings per share of $7.17, adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) of $9.13
Q4 FY25 cash flows provided by operating activities of $115 million, free cash flow(1) and transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1) of $236 million; FY25 cash flows provided by operating activities of $494 million, free cash flow(1) of $499 million,transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1) of $507 million
Q4 FY25 net bookings of$1.3 billion; book-to-bill ratio of0.7; trailing twelve months book-to-bill ratio of 0.9
FY26 guidance introduced above prior targets for revenues, adjusted EBITDA(1), adjusted EBITDA margin(1), and adjusted diluted EPS(1)
RESTON, Va., March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Science Applications International Corporation (NASDAQ: SAIC), a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator driving our nation’s digital transformation across the defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended January 31, 2025.
“I am proud of the results we delivered in the quarter with revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, and free cash flow ahead of guidance,” said Toni Townes-Whitley, SAIC Chief Executive Officer. “Subsequent to quarter close, we received a $1.8 billion award for our largest recompete win in recent years, the System Software Lifecycle Engineering program. This important win along with a backlog of submitted bids valued at approximately $20 billion reflect the momentum we are building inside the company. I want to thank the team for a strong finish to the year and for their commitment and dedication to our customers’ mission during these uncertain times.”
Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2025: Summary Operating Results
Three Months Ended
Year Ended
January 31, 2025
Percent change
February 2, 2024
January 31, 2025
Percent change
February 2, 2024
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Revenues
$
1,838
6
%
$
1,737
$
7,479
—
%
$
7,444
Operating income
138
75
%
79
563
(24
)%
741
Operating income as a percentage of revenues
7.5
%
300 bps
4.5
%
7.5
%
-250 bps
10.0
%
Adjusted operating income(1)
176
42
%
124
705
7
%
659
Adjusted operating income as a percentage of revenues
9.6
%
250 bps
7.1
%
9.4
%
50 bps
8.9
%
Net income
98
151
%
39
362
(24
)%
477
EBITDA(1)
175
48
%
118
708
(21
)%
891
EBITDA as a percentage of revenues
9.5
%
270 bps
6.8
%
9.5
%
-250 bps
12.0
%
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
177
39
%
127
710
6
%
668
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues
9.6
%
230 bps
7.3
%
9.5
%
50 bps
9.0
%
Diluted earnings per share
$
2.00
170
%
$
0.74
$
7.17
(19
)%
$
8.88
Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1)
$
2.57
80
%
$
1.43
$
9.13
16
%
$
7.88
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
115
83
%
$
63
$
494
25
%
$
396
Free cash flow(1)
$
236
143
%
$
97
$
499
21
%
$
414
Transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1)
$
236
98
%
$
119
$
507
4
%
$
486
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.
The Company utilizes a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Friday closest to January 31, with fiscal quarters typically consisting of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2025 and 2024 both consisted of 52 weeks.
Fourth Quarter Summary Results
Revenues for the quarter increased $101 million compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to ramp up in volume on new and existing contracts, partially offset by contract completions.
Operating income as a percentage of revenues increased to 7.5% for the quarter as compared to 4.5% in the comparable prior year period primarily due to improved profitability across our contract portfolio, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.
Adjusted EBITDA(1) as a percentage of revenues for the quarter was 9.6%, compared to 7.3% for the prior year quarter primarily due to improved profitability across our contract portfolio, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.
Diluted earnings per share for the quarter was $2.00 compared to $0.74 in the prior year quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) was $2.57 for the quarter compared to $1.43 in the prior year quarter. The weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during the quarter decreased to 49.0 million shares from 52.7 million during the prior year quarter.
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.
Fiscal Year 2025 Summary Results
Revenues for the fiscal year increased $35 million compared to the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume in existing and new contracts. This was partially offset by the sale of the Supply Chain Business ($188 million) in the prior year, and contract completions. Adjusting for the impact of the divestiture, revenues grew approximately 3.1%.
Operating income as a percentage of revenues for the fiscal year decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to a $233 million gain recognized from the sale of the Supply Chain Business and a $7 million gain recognized from the deconsolidation of FSA in the prior year. This was partially offset by improved profitability across our contract portfolio, the resolution of the Assault Amphibious Vehicle (“AAV”) contract termination, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.
Adjusted EBITDA(1) as a percentage of revenues for the fiscal year increased compared to the prior year. The increase was driven by improved profitability across our contract portfolio, the resolution of the AAV contract termination, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.
Diluted earnings per share for the year was $7.17 compared to $8.88 in the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) was $9.13 for the year compared to $7.88 in the prior year. The weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during the year decreased to 50.5 million shares from 53.7 million shares during the prior year.
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.
Cash Generation and Capital Deployment
Total cash flows provided by operating activities for the fourth quarter were $115 million, an increase of $52 million compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower tax payments in the current quarter, timing of vendor payments, and other changes in working capital, partially offset by higher cash outflows from the usage of the Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement (“MARPA Facility”) with MUFG bank, LTD.
Total cash flows provided by operating activities for the year were $494 million, an increase of $98 million from the prior year, primarily due to higher tax payments in fiscal 2024 from the sale of the Supply Chain Business and other changes in working capital, partially offset by higher incentive-based compensation payments in the current year.
During the quarter, SAIC deployed $163 million of capital, consisting of $130 million of share repurchases in accordance with established repurchase plans, $18 million in cash dividends to shareholders, and $15 million of capital expenditures. For the year, SAIC deployed $638 million of capital, consisting of share repurchases of $527 million (approximately 4.2 million shares) in accordance with established repurchase plans, cash dividends of $75 million to shareholders, and $36 million of capital expenditures.
Quarterly Dividend Declared
As previously announced, subsequent to fiscal year-end, the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board of Directors”) declared a cash dividend of $0.37 per share of the Company’s common stock payable on April 25, 2025 to stockholders of record on April 11, 2025. SAIC intends to continue paying dividends on a quarterly basis, although the declaration of any future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors each quarter and will depend on earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors.
Backlog and Contract Awards
Net bookings for the quarter were approximately $1.3 billion, which reflects a book-to-bill ratio of approximately 0.7. Net bookings for the year were approximately $6.6 billion, which reflects a book-to-bill ratio of approximately 0.9.
SAIC’s estimated backlog at the end of fiscal year 2025 was approximately $21.9 billion of which $3.4 billion was funded.
SAIC was awarded the following contracts during the quarter:
Notable New Awards:
Department of Defense: During the quarter, SAIC was awarded the Defense Readiness Reporting System (“DRRS”) Sustainment task order under the recently awarded Personnel and Readiness Infrastructure Support Management (“PRISM”) Multiple Award Task Order Contract (“MATOC”) vehicle to support the Department of Defense (“DoD”) and its need to obtain critical services in a shorter time frame. The $187 million task order has a 3-year period of performance (one-year base, plus two, one-year options), tasking SAIC with modernizing DRRS to create a predictive, proactive readiness management tool for the DoD.
Notable Recompete Awards:
U.S. Space and Intelligence Community: During the quarter, SAIC was awarded approximately $480 million of contract awards by space and intelligence organizations. These awards represent a combination of new business and recompetes.
Notable Awards Subsequent to Period End (not included in current quarter bookings):
U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC): Subsequent to the end of the quarter, SAIC was awarded the System Software Lifecycle Engineering contract, a five-year (one year base, plus four, one-year option periods) $1.8 billion contract to continue mission engineering, integration, software development, and other life cycle support to CCDC-AvMC. Under the five-year award, SAIC will continue to develop and integrate advanced technologies throughout the software life cycle, including software development and maintenance.
Fiscal Year 2026 Guidance
The Company’s outlook for fiscal year 2026 is being provided. The table below summarizes fiscal year 2026 guidance and represents our views as of March 17, 2025.
CURRENT Fiscal Year
PRIOR Fiscal Year
2026 Guidance
2026 Targets
Revenue
$7.60B – $7.75B
$7.55B – $7.75B
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
$715M – $735M
~$720M
Adjusted EBITDA Margin %(1)
9.4% – 9.6%
9.3% – 9.5%
Adjusted Diluted EPS(1)
$9.10 – $9.30
$8.90 – $9.10
Free Cash Flow(1)
$510M – $530M
$510M – $530M
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.
Webcast Information
SAIC management will discuss operations and financial results in an earnings conference call beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern time on March 17, 2025. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously to the public through a link on the Investor Relations section of the SAIC website (investors.saic.com). We will be providing webcast access only – “dial-in” access is no longer available. Additionally, a supplemental presentation will be available to the public through links to the Investor Relations section of the SAIC website. After the call concludes, an on-demand audio replay of the webcast can be accessed on the Investor Relations website.
About SAIC
SAIC is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.
We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.
The Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking adjusted diluted EPS to GAAP diluted EPS or adjusted EBITDA margin to GAAP net income due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation. Because certain deductions for non-GAAP exclusions used to calculate net income may vary significantly based on actual events, the Company is not able to forecast GAAP diluted EPS or GAAP net income with reasonable certainty. The variability of the above charges may have an unpredictable and potentially significant impact on our future GAAP financial results.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release contain or are based on “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “guidance,” and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Legal Proceedings” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website atsaic.comor on the SEC’s website atsec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAIC’s expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.
Schedule 1:
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
Year Ended
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Revenues
$
1,838
$
1,737
$
7,479
$
7,444
Cost of revenues
1,606
1,545
6,587
6,572
Selling, general and administrative expenses
94
114
339
373
(Gain) loss on divestitures, net of transaction costs
—
—
—
(240
)
Other operating (income) expense
—
(1
)
(10
)
(2
)
Operating income
138
79
563
741
Interest expense, net
29
32
126
120
Other (income) expense, net
2
(1
)
9
1
Income before income taxes
107
48
428
620
Provision for income taxes
(9
)
(9
)
(66
)
(143
)
Net income
$
98
$
39
$
362
$
477
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic
48.6
52.0
50.1
53.1
Diluted
49.0
52.7
50.5
53.7
Earnings per share:
Basic
$
2.02
$
0.75
$
7.23
$
8.98
Diluted
$
2.00
$
0.74
$
7.17
$
8.88
Schedule 2:
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
(in millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
56
$
94
Receivables, net
1,000
914
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
98
123
Total current assets
1,154
1,131
Goodwill
2,851
2,851
Intangible assets, net
779
894
Property, plant, and equipment, net
104
91
Operating lease right of use assets
164
152
Other assets
194
195
Total assets
$
5,246
$
5,314
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
744
$
711
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
339
370
Debt, current portion
313
77
Total current liabilities
1,396
1,158
Debt, net of current portion
1,907
2,022
Operating lease liabilities
173
147
Deferred income taxes
24
28
Other long-term liabilities
169
174
Equity:
Total stockholders’ equity
1,577
1,785
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
5,246
$
5,314
Schedule 3:
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
Year Ended
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
(in millions)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$
98
$
39
$
362
$
477
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
36
36
140
142
Deferred income taxes
12
16
(3
)
(17
)
Stock-based compensation expense
15
26
53
68
Gain on divestitures
—
—
—
(247
)
Other
2
(2
)
(7
)
(6
)
Increase (decrease) resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of the acquisitions and divestitures:
Receivables
22
96
(86
)
(46
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(7
)
(56
)
24
(43
)
Other assets
(9
)
(19
)
1
(14
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(71
)
(128
)
48
13
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
28
53
(31
)
49
Operating lease assets and liabilities, net
1
(1
)
(6
)
(4
)
Other long-term liabilities
(12
)
3
(1
)
24
Net cash provided by operating activities
115
63
494
396
Cash flows from investing activities:
Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment
(15
)
(11
)
(36
)
(27
)
Purchases of marketable securities
(3
)
(2
)
(14
)
(8
)
Sales of marketable securities
2
1
12
6
Proceeds from sale of equity method investments
—
—
10
—
Proceeds from divestitures
—
—
—
356
Cash divested upon deconsolidation of joint venture
—
—
—
(8
)
Other
(4
)
2
(7
)
(5
)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(20
)
(10
)
(35
)
314
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on borrowings
(325
)
(166
)
(1,381
)
(441
)
Proceeds from borrowings
385
—
1,499
160
Stock repurchased and retired or withheld for taxes on equity awards
(133
)
(89
)
(558
)
(382
)
Dividend payments to stockholders
(18
)
(19
)
(75
)
(79
)
Issuances of stock
6
4
20
17
Other
—
—
(3
)
—
Net cash used in financing activities
(85
)
(270
)
(498
)
(725
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
10
(217
)
(39
)
(15
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
54
320
103
118
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
64
$
103
$
64
$
103
Schedule 4:
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
Year Ended
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
(in millions)
Revenues
Defense and Intelligence
$
1,360
$
1,352
$
5,726
$
5,817
Civilian
478
385
1,753
1,627
Total revenues
$
1,838
$
1,737
$
7,479
$
7,444
Operating income (loss)
Defense and Intelligence
$
96
$
100
$
440
$
436
Civilian
63
19
168
158
Corporate
(21
)
(40
)
(45
)
147
Total operating income
$
138
$
79
$
563
$
741
Operating margin
Defense and Intelligence
7.1
%
7.4
%
7.7
%
7.5
%
Civilian
13.2
%
4.9
%
9.6
%
9.7
%
Total operating margin
7.5
%
4.5
%
7.5
%
10.0
%
Adjusted operating income (loss)(1)
Defense and Intelligence
$
113
$
117
$
509
$
504
Civilian
75
31
216
206
Corporate
(12
)
(24
)
(20
)
(51
)
Total adjusted operating income(1)
$
176
$
124
$
705
$
659
Adjusted operating margin(1)
Defense and Intelligence
8.3
%
8.7
%
8.9
%
8.7
%
Civilian
15.7
%
8.1
%
12.3
%
12.7
%
Total adjusted operating margin(1)
9.6
%
7.1
%
9.4
%
8.9
%
Defense and Intelligence Results
Revenues in the fourth quarter increased $8 million or 0.6% compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts, partially offset by contract completions.
Revenues in the fiscal year decreased $91 million or 2% compared to the prior year primarily due to the sale of the Supply Chain Business ($188 million) in the prior year, and contract completions. This was partially offset by ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts. Adjusting for the impact of the divestiture, revenues grew 1.7%.
Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fourth quarter decreased compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to timing and volume mix.
Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fiscal year increased from the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts, and the resolution of the AAV contract termination, partially offset by contract completions and the gain on sale of the Supply Chain Business in the prior year.
Civilian Results
Revenues in the fourth quarter increased $93 million or 24% compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing contracts, partially offset by contract completions.
Revenues in the fiscal year increased $126 million or 8% compared to the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts, partially offset by contract completions.
Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fourth quarter increased compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to improved profitability across our contract portfolio.
Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fiscal year decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to timing and volume mix.
Corporate Results
Operating loss and adjusted operating loss(1) in the fourth quarter decreased $19 million and $12 million, respectively, compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to lower incentive-based compensation expense, including acceleration of stock-based compensation related to the reorganization and executive transition in the prior year.
Operating loss in the fiscal year increased $192 million compared to the prior year primarily due to gain on the sale of the Supply Chain Business in the prior year ($233 million) and the gain recognized from the deconsolidation of FSA ($7 million) in the prior year, partially offset by lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.
Adjusted operating loss(1) in the fiscal year decreased $31 million compared to the prior year primarily due to lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.
Schedule 5:
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION BACKLOG (Unaudited)
The estimated value of our total backlog as of the dates presented was:
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
Defense and Intelligence
Civilian
Total SAIC
Defense and Intelligence
Civilian
Total SAIC
(in millions)
Funded backlog
$
2,599
$
845
$
3,444
$
2,707
$
832
$
3,539
Negotiated unfunded backlog
15,341
3,072
18,413
16,316
2,908
19,224
Total backlog
$
17,940
$
3,917
$
21,857
$
19,023
$
3,740
$
22,763
Backlog represents the estimated amount of future revenues to be recognized under negotiated contracts and task orders as work is performed and excludes contract awards which have been protested by competitors until the protest is resolved in our favor. SAIC segregates backlog into two categories, funded backlog and negotiated unfunded backlog. Funded backlog for contracts with government agencies primarily represents contracts for which funding is appropriated less revenues previously recognized on these contracts, and does not include the unfunded portion of contracts where funding is incrementally appropriated or authorized by the U.S. government and other customers even though the contract may call for performance over a number of years. Funded backlog for contracts with non-government agencies represents the estimated value of contracts which may cover multiple future years under which SAIC is obligated to perform, less revenues previously recognized on these contracts. Negotiated unfunded backlog represents the estimated future revenues to be earned from negotiated contracts for which funding has not been appropriated or authorized, and unexercised priced contract options. Negotiated unfunded backlog does not include any estimate of future potential task orders expected to be awarded under indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ), U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) schedules or other master agreement contract vehicles, with the exception of certain IDIQ contracts where task orders are not competitively awarded and separately priced but instead are used as a funding mechanism, and where there is a basis for estimating future revenues and funding on future anticipated task orders.
Schedule 6:
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
This schedule describes the non-GAAP financial measures included in this earnings release. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in evaluating our financial information, they should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations, definitions, and how we believe these measures are useful to management and investors are provided below. Other companies may define similar measures differently.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
Three Months Ended
Year Ended
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
(in millions)
Revenues
$
1,838
$
1,737
$
7,479
$
7,444
Net income
98
39
362
477
Interest expense, net and loss on sale of receivables
32
34
140
129
Provision for income taxes
9
9
66
143
Depreciation and amortization
36
36
140
142
EBITDA(1)
$
175
$
118
$
708
$
891
EBITDA as a percentage of revenues
9.5
%
6.8
%
9.5
%
12.0
%
Acquisition and integration costs
—
—
(2
)
1
Restructuring and impairment costs
4
15
8
23
Depreciation included in restructuring and impairment costs
(1
)
(1
)
(1
)
(1
)
Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs
(1
)
(5
)
(3
)
(6
)
Gain on divestitures, net of transaction costs
—
—
—
(240
)
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
$
177
$
127
$
710
$
668
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues
9.6
%
7.3
%
9.5
%
9.0
%
EBITDA is a performance measure that is calculated by taking net income and excluding interest and loss on sale of receivables, provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is a performance measure that excludes the impactof non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets, along with associated depreciation included in those restructuring and impairment costs. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the deconsolidation of FSA and the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that these performance measures provide management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.
Schedule 6 (continued):
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
Adjusted Operating Income
Three Months Ended January 31, 2025
GAAP results
Restructuring and impairment costs
Depreciation included in restructuring and impairment costs
Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment
Amortization of intangible assets
Non-GAAP results(1)
Non-GAAP operating margin(1)
(in millions)
Defense and Intelligence
$
96
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
1
$
16
$
113
8.3
%
Civilian
63
—
—
—
—
12
75
15.7
%
Corporate
(21
)
4
(1
)
(1
)
7
—
(12
)
NM
Total
$
138
$
4
$
(1
)
$
(1
)
$
8
$
28
$
176
9.6
%
Three Months Ended February 2, 2024
GAAP results
Restructuring and impairment costs
Depreciation included in restructuring and impairment costs
Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment
Amortization of intangible assets
Non-GAAP results(1)
Non-GAAP operating margin(1)
(in millions)
Defense and Intelligence
$
100
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
17
$
117
8.7
%
Civilian
19
—
—
—
—
12
31
8.1
%
Corporate
(40
)
15
(1
)
(5
)
7
—
(24
)
NM
Total
$
79
$
15
$
(1
)
$
(5
)
$
7
$
29
$
124
7.1
%
Adjusted operating income is a performance measure that primarily excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets, along with associated depreciation included in those restructuring and impairment costs. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment relates to property, plant, and equipment specifically identifiable for each segment. Adjusted operating income also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. We believe that these performance measures provide management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.
Schedule 6 (continued):
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
Adjusted Operating Income
Year Ended January 31, 2025
GAAP results
Acquisition and integration costs
Restructuring and impairment costs
Depreciation included in restructuring and impairment costs
Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment
Amortization of intangible assets
Non-GAAP results(1)
Non-GAAP operating margin(1)
(in millions)
Defense and Intelligence
$
440
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
2
$
67
$
509
8.9
%
Civilian
168
—
—
—
—
—
48
216
12.3
%
Corporate
(45
)
(2
)
8
(1
)
(3
)
23
—
(20
)
NM
Total
$
563
$
(2
)
$
8
$
(1
)
$
(3
)
$
25
$
115
$
705
9.4
%
Year Ended February 2, 2024
GAAP results
Acquisition and integration costs
Restructuring and impairment costs
Depreciation included in restructuring and impairment costs
Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment
Amortization of intangible assets
Gain on divestitures, net of transaction costs
Non-GAAP results(1)
Non-GAAP operating margin(1)
(in millions)
Defense and Intelligence
$
436
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
1
$
67
$
—
$
504
8.7
%
Civilian
158
—
—
—
—
—
48
—
206
12.7
%
Corporate
147
1
23
(1
)
(6
)
25
—
(240
)
(51
)
NM
Total
$
741
$
1
$
23
$
(1
)
$
(6
)
$
26
$
115
$
(240
)
$
659
8.9
%
Adjusted operating income is a performance measure that primarily excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets, along with associated depreciation included in those restructuring and impairment costs. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment relates to property, plant, and equipment specifically identifiable for each segment. Adjusted operating income also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the deconsolidation of FSA and the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that these performance measures provide management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.
Schedule 6 (continued):
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
Three Months Ended January 31, 2025
As Reported
Restructuring and impairment costs
Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs
Amortization of intangible assets
Non-GAAP results(1)
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Income before income taxes
$
107
$
4
$
(1
)
$
28
$
138
Income tax expense
(9
)
(1
)
—
(2
)
(12
)
Net income
$
98
$
3
$
(1
)
$
26
$
126
Diluted EPS
$
2.00
$
0.06
$
(0.02
)
$
0.53
$
2.57
Three Months Ended February 2, 2024
As Reported
Restructuring and impairment costs
Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs
Amortization of intangible assets
Gain on divestitures, net of transaction costs
Non-GAAP results(1)
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Income before income taxes
$
48
$
15
$
(5
)
$
29
$
—
$
87
Income tax expense
(9
)
(1
)
1
(5
)
2
(12
)
Net Income
$
39
$
14
$
(4
)
$
24
$
2
$
75
Diluted EPS
$
0.74
$
0.27
$
(0.08
)
$
0.46
$
0.04
$
1.43
Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a performance measure that excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Adjusted diluted earnings per share also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that this performance measure provides management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.
Schedule 6 (continued):
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
Year Ended January 31, 2025
As Reported
Acquisition and integration costs
Restructuring and impairment costs
Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs
Amortization of intangible assets
Non-GAAP results(1)
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Income before income taxes
$
428
$
(2
)
$
8
$
(3
)
$
115
$
546
Income tax expense
(66
)
—
(1
)
—
(18
)
(85
)
Net income
$
362
$
(2
)
$
7
$
(3
)
$
97
$
461
Diluted EPS
$
7.17
$
(0.04
)
$
0.14
$
(0.06
)
$
1.92
$
9.13
Year Ended February 2, 2024
As Reported
Acquisition and integration costs
Restructuring and impairment costs
Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs
Amortization of intangible assets
Gain on divestitures, net of transaction costs
Non-GAAP results(1)
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Income before income taxes
$
620
$
1
$
23
$
(6
)
$
115
$
(240
)
$
513
Income tax expense
(143
)
—
(2
)
1
(21
)
75
(90
)
Net Income
$
477
$
1
$
21
$
(5
)
$
94
$
(165
)
$
423
Diluted EPS
$
8.88
$
0.02
$
0.39
$
(0.09
)
$
1.75
$
(3.07
)
$
7.88
Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a performance measure that excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Adjusted diluted earnings per share also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the deconsolidation of FSA and the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that this performance measure provides management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.
Schedule 6 (continued):
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
Free Cash Flow
Three Months Ended
Year Ended
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
January 31, 2025
February 2, 2024
(in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
115
$
63
$
494
$
396
Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment
(15
)
(11
)
(36
)
(27
)
Cash used (provided) by MARPA Facility
136
45
41
45
Free cash flow(1)
$
236
$
97
$
499
$
414
L&SCM divestiture transaction fees
—
—
—
7
L&SCM divestiture cash taxes
—
18
—
74
L&SCM divestiture transition services
—
4
8
(9
)
Transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1)
$
236
$
119
$
507
$
486
FY26 Guidance
(in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$545M to $565M
Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment
Approximately $35M
Free cash flow(1)
$510M to $530M
Free cash flow is calculated by taking cash flows provided by operating activities less expenditures for property, plant, and equipment and less cash flows from our Master Accounts Receivable Purchasing Agreement (MARPA Facility) for the sale of certain designated eligible U.S. government receivables. Under the MARPA Facility, the Company can sell eligible receivables up to a maximum amount of $300 million. Transaction-adjusted free cash flow excludes cash taxes, transaction fees, and other costs related to the divestiture of the logistics and supply chain management business from free cash flow as previously defined. We believe that free cash flow and transaction-adjusted free cash flow provides management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our cash flows and in comparing them to other peer companies, many of whom present similar non-GAAP liquidity measures. These measures should not be considered as a measure of residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes.
Looking for a fun packed programme for the kids during the Easter holidays?
Letham WAC have visits arranged to visit Westbank Woods the outdoor community woods, den building, learning about the environment and the creatures that live in it.
There are lots of ‘Spring Activities’ including arts and crafts, planting bulbs, spring hunt around the school grounds.
Science activities – find out how to make a rainbow using different scientific experiments. Throughout the holidays there will be lots of Easter arts and crafts, sports, outdoor play and baking throughout the holidays.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Themiya Nanayakkara, Lead Astronomer at the James Webb Australian Data Centre, Swinburne University of Technology
The Big Wheel alongside some of its neighbours. Weichen Wang et al. (2025)
Deep observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have revealed an exceptionally large galaxy in the early universe. It’s a cosmic giant whose light has travelled over 12 billion years to reach us. We’ve dubbed it the Big Wheel, with our findings published today in Nature Astronomy.
This giant disk galaxy existed within the first two billion years after the Big Bang, meaning it formed when the universe was just 15% of its current age. It challenges what we know about how galaxies form.
What is a disk galaxy?
Picture a galaxy like our own Milky Way: a flat, rotating structure made up of stars, gas and dust, often surrounded by an extensive halo of unseen dark matter.
Disk galaxies typically have clear spiral arms extending outward from a dense central region. Our Milky Way itself is a disk galaxy, characterised by beautiful spiral arms that wrap around its centre.
An artist impression of the Milky Way showcasing the dusty spiral structures similar to The Big Wheel.
Studying disk galaxies, like the Milky Way and the newly discovered Big Wheel, helps us uncover how galaxies form, grow and evolve across billions of years.
These studies are especially significant, as understanding galaxies similar to our own can provide deeper insights into the cosmic history of our galactic home.
A giant surprise
We previously thought galaxy disks form gradually over a long period: either through gas smoothly flowing into galaxies from surrounding space, or by merging with smaller galaxies.
Usually, rapid mergers between galaxies would disrupt the delicate spiral structures, turning them into more chaotic shapes. However, the Big Wheel managed to quickly grow to a surprisingly large size without losing its distinctive spiral form. This challenges long-held ideas about the growth of giant galaxies.
Our detailed JWST observations show that the Big Wheel is comparable in size and rotational speed to the largest “super-spiral” galaxies in today’s universe. It is three times as big in size as comparable galaxies at that epoch and is one of the most massive galaxies observed in the early cosmos.
In fact, its rotation speed places it among galaxies at the high end of what’s called the Tully-Fisher relation, a well-known link between a galaxy’s stellar mass and how fast it spins.
Remarkably, even though it’s unusually large, the Big Wheel is actively growing at a rate similar to other galaxies at the same cosmic age.
The Big Wheel galaxy is seen at the centre. In striking contrast, the bright blue galaxy (upper right) is only about 1.5 billion light years away, making the Big Wheel roughly 50 times farther away. Although both appear a similar size, the enormous distance of the Big Wheel reveals its truly colossal physical scale. JWST
Unusually crowded part of space
What makes this even more fascinating is the environment in which the Big Wheel formed.
It’s located in an unusually crowded region of space, where galaxies are packed closely together, ten times denser than typical areas of the universe. This dense environment likely provided ideal conditions for the galaxy to grow quickly. It probably experienced mergers that were gentle enough to let the galaxy maintain its spiral disk shape.
Additionally, the gas flowing into the galaxy must have aligned well with its rotation, allowing the disk to grow quickly without being disrupted. So, a perfect combination.
An illustration of how a massive spiral galaxy forms and evolves over billions of years. This evolutionary path is similar to real-world galaxies like Andromeda, our closest spiral galaxy neighbour, which also developed distinct spiral arms similar to the Big Wheel.
A fortunate finding
Discovering a galaxy like the Big Wheel was incredibly unlikely. We had less than a 2% chance to find this in our survey, according to current galaxy formation models.
So, our finding was fortunate, probably because we observed it within an exceptionally dense region, quite different from typical cosmic environments.
Besides its mysterious formation, the ultimate fate of the Big Wheel is another intriguing question. Given the dense environment, future mergers might significantly alter its structure, potentially transforming it into a galaxy comparable in mass to the largest ones observed in nearby clusters, such as Virgo.
The Big Wheel’s discovery has revealed yet another mystery of the early universe, showing that our current models of galaxy evolution still need refinement.
With more observations and discoveries of massive, early galaxies like the Big Wheel, astronomers will be able to unlock more secrets about how the universe built the structures we see today.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
The 3rd All-Russian Interdepartmental Scientific and Practical Conference “Current Issues of Security of the Russian Federation” was held at the State University of Management. Its holding was initiated by the management of the Institute of Distance Education of the State University of Management with the active participation of the non-profit organization “Innovation Fund”.
In addition to an impressive number of representatives of the scientific community and experts from various ministries and departments, for the first time the Conference was attended by the former Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and now the Inspector General of the Russian Ministry of Defense, General of the Army Yuri Baluevsky, as well as Doctor of Military Sciences, Colonel General Vladimir Moltenskoy, and representatives of military command bodies and veteran organizations.
On the eve of the event, a meeting of military leaders with the management of the State University of Management represented by Rector Vladimir Stroyev and Advisor to the Rectorate Nikolay Mikhailov took place. During the conversation, Yuri Baluevsky spoke warmly about the university’s centuries-old traditions and the university’s major role in training industry managers for the country, and also outlined the need to develop cooperation in the area of training modern management personnel, taking into account the main trends in the development of modern society.
Yuri Nikolaevich also spoke with university students and expressed a desire to have an “open conversation about something important” with them in the near future.
During the Conference, issues of military and economic security, the current state and prospects of the fight against terrorism and extremism, theoretical and legal problems of comprehensive security of society, information, industrial and environmental security were considered and, of course, much attention was paid to issues of youth policy and its role in ensuring state security.
Director of the Institute of Distance Education Sergey Lenshin, in his welcoming speech to the Conference participants, drew attention to the multipolarity of the tasks that go far beyond the issues outlined in the Conference program, but which need to be addressed today.
Of great interest was the speech by Army General Yuri Baluevsky, who shared his many years of experience and drew the audience’s attention to the fact that “Russia has not had, does not have, and never will have allies other than its army and navy, that the Central Military District has demonstrated the need to improve many aspects of military development and has required a reassessment of the role and place of different types of weapons in armed confrontation.”
Almost all participants of the Conference emphasized the relevance of issues related to the continuity of generations, the transmission and preservation of the heroic traditions of our country, the preservation of the historical memory of its military glory and the need for spiritual and moral education of youth.
At the end of the Conference, high-ranking guests were given tours of the university and the halls of the State University of Management Museum.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 03/17/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stuart J. Turnbull-Dugarte, Associate Professor in Quantitative Political Science, University of Southampton
From a very young age, we’re socialised to view the world as being made up of “goodies” and “baddies”. When you’re a child fooling around with your friends in the playground, nobody ever wants to be the baddy. And when it comes to dressing up, everybody wants to be Luke Skywalker – not Darth Vader.
This oversimplified way of viewing the world as being made up of right and wrong or good people and bad people doesn’t dissipate as we grow older. If anything, it tends to solidify as we form the social identities that define who we are in adult life.
This is particularly the case when it comes to our political identities and, specifically, the partisan identities and loyalties that individuals attach themselves to.
Partisanship is one hell of a powerful force. Not only does sticking a party label under a candidate determine whether we support them or not – often regardless of what the individual candidate actually stands for – but it also shapes how we view the state of the country and economy. Note how Democrats’ view of how the US economy was doing tanked the day Donald Trump took office, while Republicans’ positivity about the same economy spiked.
Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.
Our partisanship can also affect who we choose to socialise with, who we share a beer with, and who we date. There is even evidence that it affects who gets hired and who doesn’t. Knowing who your neighbour votes for and if they vote for “your team” shapes your view of them as good or bad.
In a new study, I show that the reverse is also true. Knowing someone is good or bad shapes if we think they are one of “us” or one of “them”. In other words, partisans project their own political identities onto people they view as good, and project the political identities of their opponents onto those they dislike.
Who do Darth Vader and Cinderella vote for?
The first part of the study involved a social experiment that applied a political twist on a childish game. In a representative survey of thousands of respondents from both the US and UK, participants were shown images of fictional characters. These were heroes like Harry Potter and Spiderman, or villains like Scar from Disney’s The Lion King and Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones.
Participants were then asked to guess each character’s political affiliation. What emerged was a striking pattern: participants thought that heroes voted for the same party as them, and that villains voted for the opposing party.
Essentially, US Democrats consistently thought Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione voted Democrat, whereas Republicans consistently thought they voted Republican. Similar behaviour was expected of heroes (and the opposite of villains) from across a whole host of characters from different film and fiction.
Percentages who thought each character voted for ‘their’ party:
Heroes in pink, villains in blue: how we think fictional characters vote. Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte, CC BY-ND
Participants thought Spiderman, Cinderella, Yoda, Aladdin, Brienne of Tarth, Gandalf and Captain America shared their political views. They dismissed Kylo Ren, Ursula the sea witch, Cersei Lannister and Thanos as siding with their political opposition.
Participants were also asked to read a short story about a local politician. In one version of the story, the politician was depicted as a generous figure who donated money to charity. In another, the same politician was shown in a negative light, and as having been accused of corruption. At no point in the story was the partisanship of the politician mentioned.
Despite the absence of any direct mention of partisanship, respondents falsely “remembered” the politician’s party affiliation in a way that aligned with the moral tone of the story. Labour-voting participants who read the generous politician story said they remembered it was about a Labour politician. Conservative-voting participants reading the same story said they remembered it being about a Conservative politician. The reverse pattern was observed among participants who read the corrupt politician story.
These results are striking. Even when there is nothing to be remembered and participants could say that partisanship wasn’t part of the story, voters read what they wanted between the lines based on their own tribal political identities.
These studies demonstrate that partisan identities undermine voter rationality. Politically motivated projection – assuming those who are good must be one of “us” and those who are bad must be one of “them” – doesn’t just shape how we view others; it reinforces and consolidates partisan divisions.
If we assume the person who lives next door is a lousy neighbour because they vote for our political opponents, and simultaneously assume the person who lives down the street votes for our political opponents because they are a lousy neighbour, then we very quickly fall into a scenario where our politically tribal instincts feel increasingly justified.
This cycle of political villainisation deepens divides, making it harder to find common ground. If we continue to let partisanship shape not just how we vote but how we see each other, we risk turning those who don’t share our political views into our enemies.
Stuart J. Turnbull-Dugarte has received funding from the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust
Thousands of tonnes of plastic pollution could be escaping into the environment every year … from our mouths. Most chewing gum on sale is made from a variety of oil-based synthetic rubbers – similar to the plastic material used in car tyres.
If you find that thought slightly unsettling, you are not alone. I have been researching and speaking about the plastic pollution problem for 15 years. The people I talk to are always surprised, and disgusted, when they find out they’ve been chewing on a lump of malleable plastic. Most manufacturers just don’t advertise what gum is actually made of – they dodge around the detail by listing “gum base” in the ingredients.
There’s no strict definition of synthetic gum base. Chewing gum brand, Wrigley Extra partners with dental professionals around the world to promote the use of sugar-free chewing gum to improve oral health.
The brand’s Wrigley Oral Health Program states that: “Gum base puts the “chew” in chewing gum, binding all the ingredients together for a smooth, soft texture. We use synthetic gum base materials for a consistent and safe base that provides longer-lasting flavour, improved texture, and reduced tackiness.“
It almost sounds harmless. But chemical analysis shows that gum contains styrene-butadiene (the durable synthetic chemical used to make car tyres), polyethylene (the plastic used to make carrier bags and bottles) and polyvinyl acetate (woodglue) as well as some sweetener and flavouring.
The chewing gum industry is big business, worth an estimated US$48.68 billion (£37.7 billion) in 2025. Three companies own 75% of the market share, the largest of which is Wrigley, with an estimated 35%. There are few reliable statistics available about the amount of gum being produced, but one peer-reviewed global estimate states 1.74 trillion pieces are made per year.
I examined several types of gum and found that the most common weight of an individual piece of gum is 1.4g – that means that globally, a staggering 2.436 million tonnes of gum are produced each year. About a third (30%) of that weight, or just over 730,000 tonnes, is synthetic gum base.
If the idea of chewing plastic isn’t disturbing enough, consider what happens after you spit it out. Most people have experienced discarded gum under bench seats, school desks and on street pavements. But, like other plastics, synthetic chewing gum does not biodegrade and can persist in the environment for many years.
In the environment it will harden, crack and breakdown into microplastics but this can take decades. Cleaning it up is not cheap because it is labour intensive. The average cost is £1.50 per square metre and estimates suggest that the annual clean-up cost for chewing gum pollution for councils in the UK is around £7 million.
There have been some efforts to address the problem. In many public locations around the UK, gum collection pots supplied by Dutch company Gumdrop Ltd have been installed to collect and recycle used gum. Signage provided by councils encouraging responsible disposal is also now a regular feature in some UK high streets, and there is a growing number of small producers offering plant-based alternatives.
In the UK, the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy launched the chewing gum task force in 2021. This collaboration involves three major manufacturers who have committed to investing up to £10 million in order to clean up “historic gum staining and changing behaviour so that more people bin their gum”.
The first objective implies that cleaning up gum is a solution to this form of plastic pollution; it isn’t. Manufacturers making a financial contribution to clean-up efforts is like plastic manufacturers paying for litter pickers and bin bags at volunteer beach cleans. Neither addresses the root cause of the problem.
Binning gum is not the solution either. Addressing gum as a plastic pollutant dictates that the prevention of gum pollution should include the well-known tenets, like all plastic pollution, of reduce, reuse, recycle and redesign. It is not only a disposal issue.
Another issue that I have uncovered is definition. In the two annual reports published by the gum litter task force since its inception, there is no mention of the word pollution. The distinction between litter and pollution is important. By calling it chewing gum pollution, the narrative changes from an individual negligence issue to a corporate one. That places an onus for accountability onto the producers rather than the consumers.
Single-use solutions
Like single-use plastic items, chewing gum pollution needs to be tackled from all angles – education, reduction, alternatives, innovation, producer responsibility, and legislation.
Educating people about the contents of gum and the environmental consequences those ingredients have will reduce consumption and encourage better disposal habits. More transparent labelling on packaging would empower shoppers to make informed choices. Stricter regulations can hold manufacturers to account – a levy tax on synthetic gum can help pay for clean ups. In turn, this would incentivise more investment in plant-based gums and other sustainable alternatives.
We can all reduce the environmental consequences of this plastic pollution by kicking the gum habit, calling on councils to enforce stricter pollution penalties and encouraging governments to put a tax levy on manufacturers to fund clean ups and force them to list the contents of gum base.
Throwing away any non-disposable, inorganic products is unsustainable. Chewing gum pollution is just another form of plastic pollution. It’s time we start treating it as such.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
A fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia has killed at least 59 people and injured more than 150. The blaze broke out at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, where around 500 people were attending a concert.
Witnesses reported that pyrotechnics used during the performance ignited the ceiling, causing flames to spread rapidly.
Authorities have arrested 20 people so far, including the club’s manager. Investigations continue. The North Macedonian government has declared a seven-day mourning period.
While building fires are not limited to nightclubs, many of the most devastating building fires in history have happened in nightclubs around the world. So why are nightclubs such a risky place for deadly fires?
A long history of nightclub fires
A look at past nightclub fires shows just how common and deadly they’ve been in the past 100 years. We identified at least 24 nightclub fires where ten or more people died since 1940.
Collectively, these 24 incidents account for at least 2,800 deaths, with nearly 1,300 in the 21st century alone.
Now, North Macedonia’s Pulse nightclub joins this long list.
Why are nightclubs so risky for fires?
A review of past nightclub fires we’ve collated in our database reveals common patterns. Two key factors have contributed to the frequency and severity of these fire disasters.
1. Pyrotechnics, fireworks and flammable materials
One of the most common causes of nightclub fires has been the use of pyrotechnics in enclosed spaces. Pyrotechnics are controlled chemical reactions designed to produce flames, smoke, or light effects.
They have been involved in at least six of the deadliest nightclub fires, including the recent Pulse nightclub fire in North Macedonia, as well as The Station (United States, 2003), Kiss (Brazil, 2013), Colectiv (Romania, 2015), Lame Horse (Russia, 2009) and República Cromañón (Argentina, 2004).
In some cases, fireworks – which are different from stage pyrotechnics and sometimes illegally used indoors – have played a role. The Lame Horse nightclub fire, which killed 156 people in Russia in 2009, was caused by a spark from fireworks igniting a low ceiling covered in flammable plastic decorations.
Foam insulation, wooden panelling, plastic decorations and carpeted walls have all been key factors in past nightclub fires. In Cocoanut Grove (Boston, 1942), artificial palm trees and other flammable decorations accelerated the blaze.
2. Overcrowding and blocked or insufficient exits
Evacuation failures have been a factor in nearly every major nightclub fire.
In some instances, crowds may not immediately recognise the severity of the situation, especially if they mistake alarms for false alarms or special effects (for example, smoke machines, loud music).
Further, patrons could be intoxicated due alcohol or other drugs. Intoxication combined with potential disorientation due to dim lighting can further reduce judgement during an evacuation.
Clearly, the best way to protect patrons is to prevent a fire from breaking out in the first place. But in settings where fire risks are inherently high, the ability to evacuate people swiftly is crucial.
Nightclubs are among the most crowded indoor spaces. While crowd density is part of a nightclub’s design and atmosphere, overcrowding beyond legal capacity is common.
A crowd that has gradually gathered over several hours must suddenly evacuate in seconds or minutes to survive a fire. This is made more difficult by narrow hallways and limited exits, which quickly become bottlenecks when hundreds of people attempt to escape at once.
What’s more, not all exits are always accessible during a fire. In several past nightclub disasters, locked or obstructed emergency exits have significantly worsened the death toll.
Minimising the risks
Nightclubs are uniquely vulnerable to fires due to a combination of structural risks, unsafe materials, overcrowding and regulatory failures.
While human behaviour plays a role in how fires unfold in confined spaces such as nightclubs, people should be able to go for a night out and expect to come home safely.
Regulatory oversight must ensure strict compliance with fire codes. Venues should have fire suppression systems (such as sprinklers, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors) to control or contain fires before they spread, and adequate exits.
Nightclubs should ban indoor pyrotechnics and fireworks, as history has repeatedly shown their deadly consequences.
Capacity limits must be enforced, and emergency exits should always be accessible.
Public awareness is also key. Patrons need to understand the real risk of fires in nightclubs, and be prepared to evacuate swiftly but calmly if danger arises.
Ruggiero Lovreglio receives funding from Royal Society Te Apārangi (NZ) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA).
Milad Haghani does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
