In Chitradurga, Deputy Commissioner S Ramya sat down with representatives of recognised political parties at her office for what turned out to be a crucial meeting on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. The atmosphere was serious but not hostile. Ramya had come with a clear message: the electoral roll is the foundation of democracy, and no one should be allowed to weaken it. She warned that anyone found submitting applications with false information, or violating election rules in any way, would face stringent legal action. This was not a casual caution. It was a firm promise that the…

Picture a teenager scrolling through social media late at night. A headline flashes by—something shocking about a celebrity, a politician, or a health scare. It’s written in bold letters, with an image that looks convincing. Without thinking too much, they hit share. Seconds later, it’s out there, sent to friends and followers, whether it’s true or not. That scene plays out millions of times every day, and it’s exactly what a team of researchers set out to understand. In a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, researchers found that strong reading skills can make…