Balochistan on edge: BLF claims string of attacks on Pak military convoys, camps

How Material Design 4 Boosted a Fintech App's Checkout Rate by 18 Percent

A Mumbai-based fintech app rebuilt on Google's Material You design system — spanning Android 12 through 14 and increasingly called Material Design 4 — saw its checkout completion rate rise 18 percent and time-to-first-action fall noticeably in follow-up tests. The original app used two hardcoded shades of blue, leaving users unable to distinguish tappable elements and experiencing a poorly integrated dark theme. Material Design 4 shifts from fixed brand colors to dynamic tonal palettes and expressive shapes, deriving a full color scheme from the user's wallpaper while keeping hierarchy and touch targets consistently legible. The core principle is that design tokens — not hardcoded hex values — drive every component, making the interface systematically clearer rather than merely more attractive. Developers adopting the system are advised to define a base theme using Jetpack Compose Material 3 libraries rather than inheriting from older Material 2 setups.

How to Build Named Slots in React Using Child Type Inspection

React lacks a native named slots feature like Vue.js, but developers can replicate the pattern using child type inspection. The approach uses React.Children.toArray to flatten children into an array, then matches each element's type against imported component references to identify specific slots. This allows a parent component like ProfileCard to control layout, conditional rendering, and dividers without the consumer needing to manage those details. Developers can also add runtime validation to throw clear errors when required slots are missing, catching issues early during development. The technique relies on JavaScript function reference identity, requiring no string matching, custom attributes, or component registration.

Five AI Governance Platforms Enterprises Should Evaluate in 2026

As enterprises scale AI deployments including agents, LLMs, and retrieval systems, demand for robust governance tools has grown significantly. Key platforms identified for 2026 include Bifrost, Credo AI, Fiddler AI, OneTrust, and Speakeasy, each addressing governance from a different angle. These tools collectively cover areas such as compliance management, model observability, access control, and policy enforcement. Bifrost distinguishes itself as an open-source AI gateway that enforces policies directly in the request path between applications and AI providers. Enterprises evaluating these tools are advised to consider factors like deployment flexibility, pricing predictability, observability depth, and operational overhead.

Kerala Faces Prolonged Power Crisis as Demand Surpasses 5,000 MW

Kerala is grappling with a deepening electricity crisis that has stretched into its second week of nightly power restrictions. Peak demand in the state crossed 5,000 MW this September, an unusually high threshold driven by rising electric vehicle usage and increased air conditioner adoption. A below-normal monsoon has simultaneously weakened hydropower generation, compounding the supply shortfall. In response, the state government has signaled its willingness to procure electricity at nearly any market price to bridge the gap. The situation highlights how changing consumption patterns and erratic rainfall are straining Kerala's power infrastructure.

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Pakistan keeps Rs 7 lakh bounty on Masood Azhar

Aphantasia Research Is Reshaping How Scientists Understand Mental Imagery

Aphantasia is a condition in which individuals are unable to form voluntary mental images in their minds. New research into this phenomenon is prompting scientists to reconsider long-held assumptions about how imagination and visual thinking work in the brain. Studies on people with aphantasia are revealing important insights into the neural networks responsible for mental imagery. The findings suggest that imagination may be far more varied and complex across individuals than previously understood. This growing body of research is helping redefine what it means to think, remember, and create mentally.

NHAI to transform highway helpline with new tech

Gurgaon Hit-and-Run: Victim's Father Demands Attempt to Murder Charge Against Driver

A biker identified as Sia was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run incident on Golf Course Road in Gurgaon. Her father, who learned about the accident an hour after it occurred, is seeking an attempt to murder charge against the driver responsible. Sia and her lawyer are preparing to file a formal police complaint and pursue legal action. She has chosen not to speak to the media, opting instead to share updates through her Instagram account. Gurgaon Police have taken suo motu cognisance of the case and are working to identify and arrest the accused.

CM Vijay's UK trip: AIADMK's claim of 'MoU with Noida-based firm' triggers new row

JPMorgan Warns Retiring Small Business Owners Risk Mass Closures Without Succession Plans

Millions of American small businesses face potential closure as their owners approach retirement age. A large share of these businesses have no succession plans in place, leaving their futures uncertain. JPMorgan Chase has flagged this trend as a significant economic risk, warning it could result in widespread job losses across the country. The bank is calling for national-level planning tools and initiatives to support smoother business ownership transitions. JPMorgan argues that addressing the succession gap is essential to preserving economic resilience and continuity.

Athletes revolt against Sweeney's ad

Developer Retests LLMs on Creative SVG Prompts, Finds Stronger Results in 2026

A developer revisited a benchmark experiment originally inspired by Simon Willison's 'pelican riding a bicycle' test, in which large language models are prompted to generate creative SVGs. The original tests were conducted in November and December 2025 using around thirty imaginative prompts, such as an octopus playing a pipe organ. Nine months later, the developer reran ten of those prompts across six models via OpenRouter to compare how newer, more capable models perform. The updated results have been published on a dedicated website, with the experiment costing approximately twenty dollars before the developer decided to pause further testing.

Michigan's Sanford Lake Fully Restored Six Years After Devastating Dam Failure

Sanford Lake in mid-Michigan has returned to full water levels, six years after a dam failure drained it completely. The recovery required major engineering work and hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. The dam collapse had exposed serious problems with aging infrastructure, creating prolonged setbacks for the region. With the lake restored, a beloved local beach festival has resumed, lifting community morale. Authorities see the lake's revival as a key driver of economic recovery for mid-Michigan.

EPFO Launches Official WhatsApp Channel to Share PF Updates with Members

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched an official WhatsApp channel to keep its members informed about the latest updates. The organisation announced the new channel through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Members can join the channel by clicking on a link shared by EPFO in its official post. The channel aims to provide subscribers with important updates and useful information related to provident fund services.

Temporal Secures $550M in Series E Funding at $12.55B Valuation

Workflow automation platform Temporal has raised $550 million in a Series E funding round, valuing the company at $12.55 billion. The announcement was made by Temporal via an official blog post on its website. The substantial raise signals strong investor confidence in Temporal's developer-focused infrastructure technology. The funding is expected to support the company's continued growth, particularly as demand for AI-driven workflow orchestration rises.

Volkswagen Unveils EV Concept Claiming Nearly 900-Mile Range

Volkswagen has revealed a new electric vehicle concept called the Mission Efficiency, which reportedly offers a range of nearly 900 miles on a single charge. The concept was announced and shared alongside official photos and specifications. The vehicle represents a significant leap in claimed EV range compared to current production electric cars. Further technical details are available via Motor1's coverage of the concept.

Tamil Nadu Secures Rs 11,000 Crore UK Investment Deal, 7,000 Jobs Expected

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has secured an investment deal worth Rs 11,000 crore from the United Kingdom. The agreement was announced by the Chief Minister's Office as part of efforts to attract foreign investment into the state. The deal is expected to generate approximately 7,000 employment opportunities across multiple sectors in Tamil Nadu. The investment marks a significant step in strengthening economic ties between Tamil Nadu and the UK.

Sarvatra Bridge System Gives Indian Army Rapid River-Crossing Capability

Water bodies have historically posed major challenges for military operations worldwide, often determining the outcome of battles. India's 1971 war highlighted the importance of river-crossing tactics, including innovative heliborne assaults. The indigenously developed Sarvatra bridge system addresses this challenge by enabling armoured formations to quickly cross water obstacles. The system is designed to ensure swift and uninterrupted movement of heavy military units during operations. Its development marks a significant step in India's self-reliant defence capability for battlefield mobility.