At 'World's Clearest Lake', You Absolutely Cannot Do This

Tourists visiting Nelson Lakes National Park in New Zealand are now required to clean their shoes before entering Lake Rotomairewhenua, also known as Blue Lake. First discovered by the Maori iwi, Ngati Apa tribe, the waterbody is currently at risk of being polluted by invasive microscopic algae spread.

While the alga is already downstream of the lake, it is being carried up the route on hikers' boots or in their water bottles, reported CNN.

As a result, Ngati Apa ki te Ra To Trust, Te Araroa Trust, and the Department of Conservation have collaborated to implement biosecurity precautions along the path. With instructional signs asking hikers to clean their shoes and equipment before continuing towards Rotomairewhenua, they have set up cleaning stations next to the lakes, where the algae are present.

Most importantly, they are warning tourists not to touch the water by any means, including swimming, soaking a towel to cool off, or submerging a GoPro to capture an underwater image. This is done not only due to the biosecurity concern but also out of respect for the lake. It is considered to be a sacred waterbody in the local Maori culture.

During the summer, a warden, usually from the Department of Conservation or a Ngati Apa representative, is positioned at the lake to keep an eye on hikers and explain to them the biosecurity hazards, the water's cultural value and possible human impacts.

As of right now, there are signs that people are following the instructions and there are fewer instances of tourists carelessly immersing a towel or themselves in the lake after a sweaty climb. While many visitors follow these guidelines, surveys indicate that some visitors remain complacent, assuming the risk is posed by others rather than themselves.

Restricting the number of visitors is not thought to be the best solution to the problem. Instead, conservationists promote responsible tourism, encouraging tourists to enjoy Rotomairewhenua without endangering its delicate ecosystem.

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Fed Up With Abusive Husband, She Married Loan Shark Who Visited Their Home

A woman in Bihar left her abusive husband to marry a loan recovery agent who used to visit her home for repayment. Indra Kumari was married in 2022 to Nakul Sharma, a resident of Jamui district. Nakul, an alcoholic, allegedly used to abuse Indra. Unable to bear the physical and emotional abuse, she sought an escape.

During this time, she crossed paths with Pawan Kumar Yadav, a loan shark working for a finance company. Their relationship started as a professional interaction when Pawan visited her home to collect a loan repayment. Over time, their acquaintance developed into friendship, which eventually turned into love.

For five months, Indra and Pawan carried on their relationship in secret. On February 4, they took flight and reached West Bengal's Asansol, where Indra's aunt resides. They remained there for a few days before returning to Jamui. On February 11, they got married at a temple. Their wedding, performed with traditional Hindu rituals, was attended by several people. Soon after, a video of the ceremony surfaced online and quickly went viral.

While Pawan's family has accepted the marriage, Indra's family is opposed to it and has filed an FIR against him. Indra said that she married Pawan out of her own free will.

With the FIR filed against Pawan and threats from Indra's family, the newlyweds have sought protection from the authorities. They fear retaliation from Indra's relatives and societal backlash.

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3rd ODI Live: Playing XI In Focus As India Eye Clean Sweep vs England

India vs England 3rd ODI LIVE: England skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bowl against India in the third and final ODI of the three-match series in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. India made three changes to their Playing XI. Pacer Arshdeep Singh replaced Mohammed Shami while Washington Sundar came in place of Ravindra Jadeja. Apart from this, spinner Kuldeep Yadav also got a place in the XI, replacing Varun Chakravarthy, who has a sore calf. On the other hand, Tom Banton has been included in England's Playing XI. The hosts have already clinched the series with 2-0 lead and will now be playing for a clean sweep. (Live Scorecard)

India vs England 3rd ODI Live Updates, Straight from Ahmedabad-

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Amid Ranveer Allahbadia Row, Javed Akhtar On 'Slang In Comedy' Goes Viral

Amid the backlash over podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia's crass remarks at a roast show, a video of poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar sharing his perspective on whether slang is acceptable in comedy has gone viral. Mr Akhtar, known as much for his wit as for his poetry, sat down for a chat with comics Sapan Verma, Biswa Kalyan Rath and Shreeja Charturvedi last year in an episode of Chill Sesh.

During the interaction, Mr Rath asked him about his views on stand-up comedians using slang. "When we do comedy, we use slang and people laugh. Gradually, it becomes a habit. We don't feel bad about it even though others may. So what is your perspective? Is slang acceptable in the context of comedy?" Mr Rath asked.

In response, Mr Akhtar started with his signature storytelling. "I will tell you something. Odisha, Bihar and Mexico, anywhere in the world where there is poverty, people eat lots of chilli because the food is bland. So just to get some taste, they eat chilli. Gaali is the chilli of language. If you can speak good language and if you are witty enough, you don't need this chilli. If the conversation is bland, you will put some gaalis in it," he said, drawing a round of applause.

Comic Sapan Verma said Mr Akhtar had poetically insulted stand-up comedians. "We are feeling bad, but also feeling good."

Ms Chaturvedi asked if he felt the same about songs with double-meaning lyrics. "Is it not a release for some people to talk about these things or is it just bad?"

Mr Akhtar replied, "What kind of people they must be? they need a psychiatrist, not a song. Who gets relief if they listen to a vulgar song? The idea is frightening."

Allahbadia, also known as the BeerBiceps Guy, recently appeared in an episode of India's Got Latent hosted by Raina. A short clip from the show, which is now viral, shows Allahbadia asking a contestant, "Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?"

The remark has sparked a massive row and put the spotlight on mature content in comedy shows that make it to streaming platforms and are available to all age groups, including children. Many have said such content can impact children negatively. They have also flagged racist remarks in the garb of comedy that may create social tensions. Demands have been raised to regulate such content.

Allahbadia also faces a police case for his remarks. A Parliamentary committee, too, has taken note and may summon him. The podcaster has issued an apology in which he has said comedy was not his forte and that his remark was the result of a lapse in judgment.

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"Absolutely Mindless": Rohit, Gambhir's Strategy Blasted By Ex India Star

Team India completed a successful run-chase of 305 runs against England in the second ODI at Cuttack on Sunday, with skipper Rohit Sharma leading the charge with the bat. Though it turned out to be another comfortable victory for India, some of the Gautam Gambhir-led team management's decisions continue to baffle experts. Former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh didn't mince words on social media as he asked some critical questions.

Strangely, all-rounder Axar Patel was sent ahead of wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul, not for the first time in this series. Rahul, who is a top-order batter by trait, has often seen his batting position being shuffled on the basis of the team's needs. He isn't a traditional wicketkeeper as well, but has been deployed in that position to help the team strike a better balance.

While not many objected to picking Rahul as India's wicket-keeper over Rishabh Pant, who continues to warm the bench, former Ganesh did object to Rahul's batting position. The keeper-batter came out to play at the No. 6 spot in the order, behind Axar, who is considered to be a 'bowling all-rounder'.

"Axar Patel again ahead of KL Rahul? I'm speechless. Does it make any sense to push a genuine batter like Rahul to no 6? When you're 5/3, do you've the courage to send Axar on a tricky pitch? If not, what sense does this experiment make? Absolutely mindless this," Ganesh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Axar Patel again ahead of KL Rahul? I'm speechless. Does it make any sense to push a genuine batter like Rahul to no 6? When you're 5/3, do you've the courage to send Axar on a tricky pitch? If not, what sense does this experiment make?Absolutely mindless this #INDvENG

— Dodda Ganesh | (@doddaganesha) February 9, 2025

The only reason experts have been able to perceive behind this change in the batting order for Rahul is head coach Gautam Gambhir preferring as many left-hand right-hand combinations in the middle. 

As for the match, Rohit soared back to form with his 32nd ODI hundred. His knock laid the foundation of India's series-winning performance, as the hosts went 2-0 up against England, with one game to spare. 

"...when people have played for a number of years and scored so many runs over the years...that means something," Rohit said in a video shared by BCCI.

"I've played this game for a long time now and I understand what is required of me. So, it's just about going out there and doing your things and this was, what I did today was, one of my things." '

"In my mind, it was just about doing things that I do, try and bat the way I do. I've been here long enough... one or two knocks is not going to change my mind and the way I bat. But (it was) just another day in the office," the 37-year-old added.

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Old Video Of African Leader Chanting 'Kill White Farmers' Viral, Musk Reacts

Billionaire Elon Musk has criticised South African political leader Julius Malema after a two-year-old video in which he's chanting "Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer" at a rally attended by thousands of supporters resurfaced on social media. The Tesla CEO, who was born in South Africa's capital Pretoria, shared the clip on X, saying, "He is chanting 'kill the white farmers' to a cheering stadium."

He is chanting kill the white farmers to a cheering stadium https://t.co/SYKFc1ntOU

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 9, 2025

The chant, historically linked to Peter Mokaba, a former African National Congress (ANC) youth leader, is rooted in the anti-apartheid struggle of the 1990s. Mr Mokaba, who died in 2002, argued that it was a metaphor rather than a literal call to violence. In 2022, South Africa's Equality Court ruled that the slogan did not constitute hate speech under the country's legal framework.

Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has a history of making radical statements. His party, founded after his expulsion from the ANC, is now South Africa's third-largest and advocates for land nationalisation and wealth redistribution. These policies have gained support among many township residents who feel economically excluded even after apartheid ended. The EFF secured 11 per cent of the vote in the last national elections.

Mr Malema made the controversial chant during the EFF's 10th anniversary rally in July 2023, where he told supporters, "We are taking government in 2024. The revolution in South Africa is guaranteed."

Musk condemned the chant then as well, warning that "They are openly pushing for the genocide of White people in South Africa." He also questioned why South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had not addressed the controversy.

They are openly pushing for genocide of white people in South Africa. @CyrilRamaphosa, why do you say nothing?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 31, 2023

In response, Mr Malema defended the chant at a press conference, arguing it was part of South Africa's political history and not an incitement to violence. He also launched an attack on Musk, saying the billionaire "looks like an illiterate" and that "the only thing that protects him is his white skin."

This comes amid fresh tensions between South Africa and the US after President Donald Trump announced that America would cut all future aid to the African nation over its land expropriation policies. This led to South African rand dropping nearly 2 per cent against the dollar.

Trump's comments followed President Ramaphosa's signing of a new law that makes it easier for the state to expropriate land with equitable compensation. The ANC has long pushed for land reforms to address racial disparities in ownership.

This was not the first time Trump threatened economic action against South Africa. In December, he warned of 100 per cent tariffs on BRICS nations if they moved away from using the US dollar.

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Scientists Deplore Sharp US Cut In Medical Research Funding

The US agency overseeing medical research has announced a major cut in funding to universities and research centers, a move strongly condemned by scientists and academics who say work on cancer and other diseases will suffer.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) said late Friday it was setting a 15 percent limit on its funding of "indirect," or overhead, costs linked to research.

That represents a dramatic drop, amounting to billions of dollars, from the indirect billings of up to 60 percent now charged by some organizations, the agency said.

"This change will save more than $4B a year effective immediately," the official NIH account said on X.

It said it was "vital to ensure that as many funds as possible go toward direct scientific research costs."

The expenses being targeted include maintenance, equipment and administrative costs at research laboratories.

The cut could affect research on diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, scientists said.

"This is a surefire way to cripple lifesaving research and innovation," Matt Owens, president of COGR, which represents research institutes and university medical centers, said in a statement to AFP.

"America's competitors will relish this self-inflicted wound," he said. "We urge NIH leaders to rescind this dangerous policy before its harms are felt by Americans."

Jeffrey Flier, former dean of the Harvard University medical faculty, said on X that the approach by President Donald Trump's administration "was designed not to improve the process, but to harm institutions, researchers and biomed research."

He said it would "cause chaos and harm biomedical research and researchers."

The White House on Saturday defended the move, saying it was bringing its indirect cost rates in line with metrics used by private sector foundations.

"NIH announced a new indirect costs policy that is in line with what research institutions receive from private foundations," said a statement.

"The indirect cost rate is intended to cover overhead and the federal government has been paying an exorbitantly high rate."

Institutions potentially affected by the cuts said the indirect costs pay for "essential" tools that enable research.

"The targeted funds pay for the essential tools, facilities, and support personnel that make research possible, sustaining laboratories to house experiments, electricity to keep centrifuges spinning, and computers to protect clinical data behind life-saving medical treatments," said a spokesperson for Johns Hopkins University.

Scientists have expressed concern in recent weeks at the lack of transparency as the new administration removes reams of epidemiological data from health-related government websites.

The NIH announcement was saluted by Elon Musk, the billionaire Trump advisor leading an effort to drastically trim federal spending.

Some Republican lawmakers also welcomed the measure, which is likely to have its greatest impact on prestigious research universities like Harvard, Yale and Johns Hopkins.
 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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