NEW DELHI: India is among the top three countries globally with the highest number of children affected by excess weight, with about 41 million aged 5-19 living with high body mass index (BMI), including nearly 14 million with obesity, a new global report has found.The World Obesity Atlas 2026 shows India, along with China and the US, accounts for a large share of the global burden, showing the country now faces both undernutrition and rising obesity among children.This comes amid a sharp global increase in childhood obesity, which has risen from about 4% in 1975 to nearly 20% in recent years. For the first time, more children worldwide are expected to be living with obesity than underweight, marking a major shift in health trends. It also warned that while many countries have introduced measures to tackle childhood obesity, progress is not keeping pace with the scale of the problem, calling for stronger action on food regulation, physical activity and access to care.Experts said this is not just a matter of appearance, but a serious health concern. “Childhood obesity is rising due to an imbalance between diet and physical activity, with children consuming more calories and moving less. It is not a cosmetic issue, but a disease with long-term risks such as diabetes, heart disease and other lifestyle conditions,” said Dr Rajesh Khadgawat, professor at the AIIMS endocrinology department.The rise is being driven by easy access to calorie-dense foods, sugary drinks and ultra-processed products, along with declining physical activity and increasing screen time. Urban lifestyles, reduced outdoor play spaces and growing dependence on digital devices are further worsening the trend.The trend is also visible among younger children, with overweight rising even under five. Experts warned it often continues into adulthood, increasing long-term risks and adding to the future burden of non-communicable diseases.

Under construction building. ( Representational image)

NEW DELHI: The National Building Code (NBC) will be replaced by a National Building Standard (NBS) by April-end, giving states and municipal bodies rights over matters such as development control norms, fire safety and administration. This would be done as land and buildings fall under their jurisdiction.The Cabinet Secretariat has directed the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) to complete the task.Experts, who have been involved in the preparation of the latest NBC draft, said matters related to fire safety should be part of the proposed standard and not be tweaked, considering the safety of occupants and people at large. However, they said, changes to some parts of the existing Code are possible, till the NBS is published.People aware of the development said the deregulation cell under Cabinet Secretariat has asked BIS to make “hand books” for some parts of the NBC, including the chapter dealing with fire safety, which states can refer to as best practices.“NBC is voluntary in nature, and hence, we feel that the Code can exist, and states can tweak them. It’s important to retain parts relating to fire safety. We must realise that fire safety engineering is largely missing in our country and if we don’t have a national standard, it’s impact will be visible considering that we lack robust fire safety infrastructure,” said Srinivas Valluri, national president of Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI), who has been a member of the technical committee for NBC of 2016 and 2025.Corroborating this, another member of the technical committee, U S Chhillar said, the national standard can help guide states and municipal bodies which otherwise have less capacity on such matters. “We (technical committee) want to inform the govt about the need for these standards. But govt wants us to simply change the sections as per their instructions,” said Chhillar, director general of the Institution of Fire Engineers.Recently, the Cabinet Secretariat had intervened to withdraw the revised 2025 BIS seismic zoning map standard after the housing and urban affairs ministry flagged increase in cost of Metro Rail projects, technical complexity and lack of stakeholder consultation. There was a directive to BIS to “immediately” withdraw the draft standards, TOI has learnt.People aware about the developments said that the updation of NBC was done after more than two years’ work and just when it was about to be published, the Cabinet Secretariat in June last year wrote to all states, saying that it is not mandatory to follow NBC. This was followed by directives to BIS to make it only a standard document and tweak provisions.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued an interim order directing Tamil Media outlet Nakkheeran Media to remove defamatory videos and articles published against Isha Foundation and Sadhguru, as per the release.Welcoming the order, Isha Foundation stated that it will continue to pursue legal action against those spreading false and malicious content.The case stems from a series of videos published by Nakkheeran that contained defamatory, vulgar, and obscene content, attempting to harm the reputation of Isha Foundation and Sadhguru. In response, the Foundation filed a defamation suit before the Delhi High Court in 2024, seeking the removal of such content and an injunction against the publication of similar material in the future.Isha filed an interim application in the matter seeking immediate removal of the content mentioned in the suit, as well as those published during the transfer petition before the Supreme Court, and sought restraint on further publication of such materials. The application was heard in December 2025, during which the Delhi High Court had reserved orders after hearing arguments from both sides.The order was issued today, with the Court directing the removal of the impugned videos and articles published by Nakkheeran concerning Isha Foundation and Sadhguru.In its statement, the Isha Foundation said, “We wholeheartedly welcome this interim order of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court. It is unfortunate that certain media outlets and individuals continue to propagate false and defamatory allegations without any evidence, as part of a deliberate effort to mislead the public.”“For over three decades, Isha Foundation has been deeply committed to large-scale social development and human well-being, work that has touched hundreds of millions of lives across the world. It is this very work that these coordinated attacks seek to disrupt. Isha will continue to pursue all appropriate legal action against those responsible. No amount of defamation or orchestrated misinformation will deter our efforts towards human well-being.“In March 2025, the Delhi High Court had directed YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh to take down a defamatory video with false claims against Sadhguru and Isha Foundation. Following court orders, the misleading video was removed by the YouTuber.

Signing up for a race is often the moment fitness stops being an idea and becomes a commitment. The date sits on the calendar, the distance suddenly feels real, and preparation begins, sometimes carefully planned, sometimes spontaneous. While every runner’s journey is different, the way people prepare for their first race often falls into a few distinct patterns. From structured training plans to technology-driven routines, each approach reflects how individuals turn intention into action.With the Times Internet Delhi Half Marathon set to take place on March 29 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi, many first-time runners across the city are discovering their own style of preparation. Some train with precision, others rely on simple consistency, while many find motivation through friends or digital tools. What they all share is the same starting point: the decision to show up on race day. Register now and secure your spot.The structured plannersFor some runners, preparation begins with a detailed plan. These are the individuals who search for training schedules the moment they register. They map out weekly runs, track distances, and gradually increase their mileage in a disciplined progression.Structured planners often follow a clear routine: shorter runs during the week, longer endurance sessions on weekends, and rest days to allow recovery. They monitor their pace, adjust their nutrition, and pay attention to sleep patterns as race day approaches.For them, preparation is a process of steady improvement. Each completed run builds confidence, turning a once-intimidating distance into a manageable challenge. By the time race day arrives, they have already rehearsed the effort many times.The consistent casualsNot everyone trains with spreadsheets and strict schedules. Many runners prepare through something far simpler: consistency.These individuals do not obsess over perfect pacing or complex training programs. Instead, they focus on one principle, showing up regularly. A few runs during the week, a slightly longer one on the weekend, and the routine slowly builds momentum.What begins as a casual commitment gradually evolves into real progress. Without overthinking the process, these runners develop endurance through repetition. The strength of this approach lies in its simplicity: small efforts repeated consistently often produce remarkable results.The power of social accountabilityFor many first-time participants, running alone is the hardest part. That is why social accountability has become one of the most powerful motivators in race preparation.Friends sign up together, colleagues form small running groups, and weekend meet-ups become training sessions. What might have been skipped on a tired morning becomes easier when someone else is waiting at the starting point.Running with others also turns preparation into a shared experience. Conversations during training runs replace the monotony of solo workouts, and progress becomes something people celebrate together. By race day, the group dynamic often matters just as much as the finish line itself. Register now and secure your spot.Training with technologyIn recent years, technology has transformed the way people prepare for races. Fitness watches track pace and heart rate. Mobile apps record distance, analyse performance, and suggest training improvements. Online communities allow runners to compare progress, share achievements, and stay motivated.Technology-driven training offers instant feedback. A runner can see how far they have improved, how their pace has evolved, and how close they are to their target distance. For many beginners, these insights create a sense of measurable progress that keeps them engaged throughout the training process.Different paths, one finish lineWhat makes race preparation fascinating is that there is no single “correct” method. Some runners follow structured programs with discipline, while others simply run when they can. Some rely on friends for motivation, while others depend on data from digital tools.Yet all these approaches lead to the same destination: the starting line. At the Times Internet Delhi Half Marathon on March 29 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, runners from across the city will come together, each carrying their own journey of preparation. By the time they gather on race morning, every training run, planned or spontaneous, will have contributed to the moment.However, not everyone who considered participating will be there. With registrations nearing capacity and the countdown already underway, the starting line is filling up fast-making this the final opportunity to be part of this year’s run. Missing it doesn’t just mean skipping a race; it means waiting an entire year for the same experience.The first race is rarely about perfect performance. It is about the experience of showing up, pushing personal limits, and discovering what the body and mind can achieve together.

NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Thursday said that New Delhi is trying to buy LPG from everywhere to widen its range of options for energy supply amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.In a weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the government is also willing to buy LGP from Russia to meet the needs of consumers.“We’re trying to buy LPG from everywhere, wherever it’s available. So if Russia is available, we’ll go there too. Because the current situation is such that we have to ensure that our people’s fuel needs are met,” Jaiswal said.“I can say that we want to have a wide range of options,” he added.The ministry also reiterated that India has received energy requests from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and other neighbouring countries.He mentioned that India has been supplying diesel to Bangladesh since 2007 through various modes of transportation and continues to assist the South Asian nation, along with other neighbouring countries.“About energy, we have received requests from several of our neighbouring countries, and I had spoken about this earlier as well. We have received requests from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and some other neighbouring countries. As I had indicated earlier, India has been supplying diesel to Bangladesh since 2007 through various modes of transportation,” he said.“We are continuing to assist Bangladesh and our other neighbours even currently. This is being done while factoring in our own requirements, refining capacity, and diesel availability,” said Jaiswal.Meanwhile, government also urged consumers to use LPG judiciously and explore alternative cooking options where possible.The move comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which have disrupted global energy supply chains. Vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that carries about one-fifth of global oil and a significant share of LPG shipments has been affected.To curb shortages and prevent malpractice, state governments have stepped up enforcement measures, including raids to check hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders. At the same time, alternate fuels such as kerosene and coal are being used in sectors like hospitality and restaurants to ease pressure on LPG supplies.

Here are the top news of the day:

Iran hits Saudi’s Aramco and Kuwait refinery following Israel attack on South Pars

Iran escalated tensions across the Gulf by launching coordinated strikes on key energy infrastructure, including the SAMREF refinery in Saudi Arabia, a joint venture involving Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil.The attacks came in retaliation for Israel’s earlier strike on Iran’s crucial South Pars gas field, a move that Tehran condemned strongly.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of “uncontrollable consequences,” cautioning that the conflict could spiral globally. Iran also targeted LNG facilities in Qatar and set two Kuwaiti refineries ablaze, intensifying fears of a wider regional crisis. Read full story

Just 350m away: Projectile strikes near Bushehr nuclear reactor, says IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported a serious security scare after a projectile struck near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, landing just 350 metres from the reactor. While the core facility remained unharmed and no injuries were reported, the proximity of the strike raised alarm over nuclear safety risks.IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed that any attack near nuclear installations breaches critical safety norms during conflict. Iran and Russia claimed the projectile hit within the broader premises, fuelling concerns about a potential radiological incident as tensions between Tehran, Israel, and the United States continue to escalate. Read full story

Stock market crash: Sensex tanks around 2,500 points – top reasons for fall

Indian stock markets witnessed a sharp sell-off, with the BSE Sensex plunging over 2,500 points, while the Nifty 50 slipped below the 23,200 mark intraday after logging gains for three straight sessions. The downturn wiped out more than Rs 11 lakh crore in investor wealth, driven largely by surging global crude oil prices and a cautious policy stance from the US Federal Reserve. Nifty50 ended the session at 23,002.15, down 776 points or 3.26%. BSE Sensex closed at 74,207.24, down 2,497 points or 3.26%. Nifty Realty was the worst performer, declining by more than 3%, followed by Nifty Auto and Nifty Private Bank, both of which slipped close to 3% . Read full story

Assam assembly polls 2026: BJP releases list of 88 candidates

The Bharatiya Janata Party has unveiled its first list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam assembly elections, with chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma set to contest again from Jalukbari.Under the alliance formula, BJP will contest 89 seats in the 126-member assembly, alongside partners AGP and BPF. The list reflects a blend of continuity and change, with several high-profile defections from Congress included, while 11 sitting MLAs have been dropped. Notably, only five women candidates have been fielded, highlighting ongoing concerns about gender representation. Read full story

IPL name row: Kerala high court rejects PIL against BCCI

The Kerala high court has dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the use of the name “Indian Premier League” by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The petitioner argued that the league was not an official national tournament and should not carry the name.A bench led by Chief Justice Soumen Sen found no merit in the plea, observing that the league has been in existence for years and the objection came too late. With the legal hurdle cleared, the 19th season of the IPL is set to begin on March 28, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match. Read full story

Almost eight years after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) put out the first draft regulation related to front of pack labelling (FOPL) of packaged food in 2018 for comments and suggestions, the authority is yet to finalise the regulation.In an affidavit dated March 13, on a May 2024 petition in the Supreme Court, FSSAI asked for six weeks to submit a proposal on labelling of packaged foods high in fat, sugar salt (HFSS) the consumption of which has been shown to cause non-communicable diseases.After organising five rounds of consultation with stakeholders including the food industry, the FSSAI informed the court that it was holding one more consultation with stakeholders on March 19 on “the proposed labels to be issued”.“The question of front-of-pack labelling has already been the subject of extensive consultations and technical deliberations over several years,” pointed out Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), a think tank of independent experts in epidemiology, nutrition and pediatrics, in a letter to the FSSAI. It added that FSSAI ought to consider proceeding with framing the FOPL regulation on the basis of the extensive consultations, available evidence and SC orders, rather than reopening the matter through additional stakeholder deliberations.The Supreme Court in its February 10 order had stated that “…we are of the view that whatever exercise has been undertaken so far has not yielded any positive or good result”. The court further pointed out that the PIL was filed to raise an important issue regarding the right to health of the citizens.FSSAI had organised a consultation in August 2018, followed by one in February 2022 in which all 17 industry associations voted for a star-rating system while all consumer organisations asked for warning labels.After an amended draft of the Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations 2020 was put in public domain for objections and suggestions over 14,000 comments and suggestions were received from public and stakeholders. FSSAI had constituted an expert committee to analyse all the comments. In May 2025, the FSSAI organised four stakeholder consultations with food business operators and others in Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad and Kolkata. In October 2025, the food industry had submitted 430 representations to the food processing ministry in which they raised “serious concerns on the draft notification”. The parliamentary committee that brought out a report on food labelling regulation in December 2025 also heard various food industry associations and their representatives along with other stakeholders. “How many consultations will it take? The process for the regulation started in 2014, when FSSAI framed guidelines which included front-of-pack labelling specifying how much fat, sugar or salt it contained. How long does it take to bring in a regulation to protect public health interest? This is despite mounting evidence of rising incidence of non-communicable diseases and obesity, even among children, due to the consumption of packaged foods high in fats, salt and sugar,” asked Dr Arun Gupta, an NAPi member.