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Time of India
18-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
AI helps woman get pregnant after 20 years of failed fertility treatments in historic IVF breakthrough
A New York couple is finally having a baby after almost two decades of failing to conceive a long, emotionally trying, physically draining, and medically frustrating ride. Their story, foiled by 15 failed IVF treatments and consultations from experts on every continent, was redeemed by an AI-based fertility tool designed at Columbia University. It's a breathtaking medical milestone that could change the face of treatment for male infertility globally. The long-awaited pregnancy of the couple is not only a medical success; it's a victory of endurance, ingenuity, and the ability of technology to overcome very intimate kinds of difficulties. For those with apparently insurmountable barriers, this case provides something invaluable: hope. With the help of AI, the era of reproductive health is about to experience a breakthrough period where even the most challenging fertility situations can be addressed not with desperation, but with data, precision, and empathy. AI brings new hope as woman gets pregnant after 20 years of failed IVF by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Order New Blinds Online & Get $199 Home Installation Learn More Undo For the majority of couples, fertility treatments are emotionally and financially exhausting—if not more so when they are unsuccessful time and time again. This couple was no exception. They struggled for nearly 20 years to have a biological child. Even with access to cutting-edge fertility treatment, surgeries, and international consultations, they were consistently given the same message: conception was all but impossible. The fundamental problem was with the husband, whom the doctor diagnosed with azoospermia , a rare but serious condition where no sperm is present in the ejaculate. Introducing STAR: The AI tool revolutionising male infertility treatment Just when hope appeared to be lost, the couple approached Dr. Zev Williams, a fertility specialist at Columbia University , whose team had been developing a cutting-edge technology: Sperm Track and Recovery (STAR). The AI system was developed to identify good sperm in semen samples where previously none were seen. How STAR works: A microfluidic chip filters and isolates constituents in the semen. A high-speed imaging system takes millions of microscopic frames. A machine learning algorithm scrutinizes these images to spot rare, cryptic sperm—even a few viable cells that might be used in IVF. "Finding a needle in a thousand haystacks" is how Dr. Williams described it. "But STAR can accomplish that in a couple of hours. And it's so gentle the sperm it retrieves can still be used to fertilize an egg." AI breakthrough helps couple conceive after 20 years of infertility In this New York couple's situation, standard lab technicians spent two entire days searching through the semen sample, but couldn't locate a single sperm cell. STAR located 44 viable sperm, though, within an hour—a figure large enough to continue with in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Miraculously, the pair did not require further cycles of hormonal treatment or surgery. With the sperm isolated by STAR, the IVF cycle went smoothly in March 2025. It worked—and the pair is now pregnant with their first child. Dr. Williams noted that the case is by no means a fluke. STAR has the potential to overturn fertility treatment, particularly for men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Non-invasive: No surgery is required to look for or retrieve sperm. Accurate: AI can locate what trained experts may not spot. Hope-restoring: For couples informed their chances were "zero," this provides a new avenue. Affects 1 in 6 people worldwide, states the World Health Organization, and male infertility accounts for roughly 50% of these. For many, diagnosis of azoospermia seemed the end of the road until now. Broader future of AI in reproductive health Whereas STAR today solves sperm detection, scientists think AI can revolutionize many other aspects of fertility treatment as well: Detecting high-quality eggs and embryos Being able to predict IVF success rates Tailoring treatment protocols Finding subtle abnormalities in reproductive tissue "There are things happening that we are not aware of now," said Dr. Williams. "But with AI, we can finally observe them." What is Azoospermia: The "hidden" cause of male infertility Azoospermia occurs in about 1 in 100 men and is responsible for 10–15% of male infertility. It exists in two types: Obstructive azoospermia: The testes generate sperm, but it can't be ejaculated because there are blockages in the reproductive system. Non-obstructive azoospermia: The body is not able to produce sperm at all or only in very low amounts. Some common reasons are: Genetic disorders Chemotherapy or radiation therapy Hormonal imbalance Drug abuse or exposure to toxins Structural defects such as varicoceles (dilated veins in the scrotum) Conventional therapies for azoospermia usually include risky operations to harvest sperm directly from the testes or using donor sperm—both of which pose emotional and ethical challenges for most couples. Also Read | Ed Sheeran's wife Cherry Seaborn worked at Deloitte for 10 years; her LinkedIn profile goes viral AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Elon Musk's Starlink faces new rival as Vi joins AST SpaceMobile, smartphone satcom service announced, launch timeline under wraps
AI generated image Vodafone Idea on Wednesday announced a strategic partnership with US-based satellite communications company AST SpaceMobile to deliver satellite-based mobile services directly to smartphones across India, without the need for specialised hardware or apps. The telecom operator said the tie-up aims to expand coverage in India's unconnected regions by integrating AST SpaceMobile's space-based cellular technology with Vi's terrestrial telecom network. 'Vi and AST SpaceMobile Inc. announced a strategic partnership to expand mobile connectivity across India's unconnected regions,' Vodafone Idea said in a statement. The telco, however, did not disclose a specific launch date for the service, PTI reported. A Vi spokesperson said the company would 'inform about material developments in due course of time.' AST SpaceMobile, a competitor to Elon Musk's SpaceX, claims to be building the world's first space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard smartphones, and has previously conducted test calls using the technology. In 2023, the firm announced it had completed the first-ever space-based 4G call to an unmodified mobile phone, followed by a 10 Mbps download test and a 5G voice call in September. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Order New Blinds Online & Get $199 Home Installation Learn More Undo The US-based company is backed by major global telecom firms including AT&T, Verizon, Google, and Vodafone Plc, and has agreements with more than 45 mobile network operators worldwide. 'This partnership will bring together Vi's robust national network with AST SpaceMobile's revolutionary technology, which connects directly to everyday smartphones without specialised software or device support,' the statement said. Under the arrangement, AST will develop and operate the satellite constellation, while Vodafone Idea will handle spectrum use, terrestrial integration, and market access in India. 'This space-based ecosystem will enable Vi to extend voice, video, and data streaming services even in areas without tower connectivity,' the company added. Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer at AST SpaceMobile, said India's telecom landscape offers an ideal platform to showcase how satellite-based cellular broadband can supplement traditional infrastructure. 'We are not just expanding coverage; we are breaking down barriers to connectivity,' he said. The partnership will also explore commercial offerings for consumer, enterprise, and IoT applications. SpaceX, which operates the Starlink satellite internet service, is also pursuing direct-to-smartphone connectivity and has signed agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to provide satellite internet in India. Earlier this month, Starlink received telecom department approval to offer services in the country. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has recommended that spectrum for satellite communication be allocated through an administrative route, a position opposed by telecom operators. The Telecommunications Act 2023 allows for spectrum allocation for point-to-point satcom services via fixed fees. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
One-by-One: How Iran's Supreme Commander Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lost his top commanders and why his axis is crumbling
This photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, shows Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a televised speech, under a portrait of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini. (AP/PTI)(AP06_14_2025_000001B) In the smouldering wreckage of Israel's aerial blitz over Tehran, one figure cuts an increasingly isolated silhouette—Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 86-year-old Supreme Leader of Iran, suddenly bereft of the generals, spymasters, and strategists who once made up the steel spine of his rule. In a span of mere hours, Iran's most elite military and intelligence commanders were wiped out, marking the most devastating blow to the Islamic Republic's leadership since its inception in 1979. The deaths weren't just symbolic—they were surgical. The head of the Revolutionary Guards. The architect of Iran's missile programme. The chief of military intelligence. The coordinator of national defence. Gone. One by one, the core of Khamenei's advisory ring has been eliminated, shattering the command-and-control structure he built over three decades. The Night the Guard Fell The strikes began just past midnight last Friday. Precision-guided Israeli missiles struck high-value targets in and around Tehran—underground bunkers, communication nodes, airbases—and with them, the men who commanded them. Major General Hossein Salami, the Guards' commander-in-chief, was among the first confirmed dead. A long-time Khamenei loyalist, Salami was more than a military officer; he was the Supreme Leader's enforcer, strategist, and ideological spearhead. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Order New Blinds Online & Get $199 Home Installation Learn More Undo Close behind him, Amir Ali Hajizadeh—the brains behind Iran's drone and missile arsenal—was eliminated in a secondary strike, alongside key deputies while they convened to plan retaliation. Intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi was gone next. Then came the death of General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's armed forces chief of staff, and General Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of joint military operations. By Saturday morning, the upper tier of Iran's warfighting architecture had been decapitated. In military terms, it was a blitz of breathtaking efficacy. In political terms, it was an earthquake. The Isolation of the Supreme Leader Khamenei has always ruled through concentric circles of loyalty—clerics, Guardsmen, intelligence officials. Their loyalty was never in question; their effectiveness, tested through wars, uprisings, and assassinations, was what kept the Islamic Republic intact. Now, that circle lies broken. Sources familiar with the workings of Khamenei's decision-making say the inner circle was never institutional—it was relational. These weren't just officers, they were comrades. Men he had fought beside, plotted revolutions with, entrusted the future to. Their loss is not only strategic—it is deeply personal. What remains is a smaller, more fragile apparatus. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has grown in stature over the past two decades, and now emerges as the de facto coordinator of both policy and security. A cleric with no formal title but immense behind-the-scenes clout, Mojtaba is seen by insiders as both successor-in-waiting and chief-of-staff in practice. The old lieutenants who remain—diplomatic veterans like Ali Akbar Velayati and Kamal Kharazi, domestic fixers like Mohammad Golpayegani—now find themselves holding the last threads of a once expansive power structure. The List of Allies Qasem Soleimani Role: Commander, IRGC Quds Force Date of Death: January 3, 2020 Context: Killed by a US drone strike in Baghdad Impact: Architect of Iran's regional proxy wars; his death dismantled the cohesion of Iran's overseas operations. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Role: Chief of Iran's nuclear weapons programme Date of Death: November 27, 2020 Context: Assassinated in Absard near Tehran, likely by Israeli intelligence Impact: Scientific cornerstone of Iran's nuclear ambitions; huge intelligence failure and psychological blow. Mohammad Hejazi Role: Deputy Commander, IRGC Quds Force Date of Death: April 18, 2021 Context: Died suddenly under unclear circumstances amid tensions with Israel Impact: Had been in charge of Hezbollah missile operations; his death weakened Iran's precision-strike strategy. Ali Shamkhani Role: Former National Security Council Chief; Senior Adviser to Khamenei Date of Death: June 14, 2025 Context: Succumbed to injuries after Israeli airstrikes in Tehran Impact: Longtime military and diplomatic strategist; key bridge between clerical leadership and military. Hossein Salami Role: Commander-in-Chief, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Date of Death: June 13, 2025 Context: Killed in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran military sites Impact: Top military commander; central figure in both external conflict and domestic repression. Amir Ali Hajizadeh Role: Commander, IRGC Aerospace Force Date of Death: June 14, 2025 Context: Killed in a second wave of Israeli strikes while planning retaliatory action Impact: Architect of Iran's missile and drone arsenal; his death blunted Iran's retaliatory capabilities. Mohammad Bagheri Role: Chief of Staff, Iranian Armed Forces Date of Death: June 13, 2025 Context: Died in Israeli precision strikes Impact: Top military planner overseeing both IRGC and conventional army operations; loss shattered national defence integration. Gholam Ali Rashid Role: Commander, Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ (Joint Military Operations) Date of Death: June 13, 2025 Context: Killed during first wave of Israeli attacks Impact: Oversaw strategic military planning; critical loss for wartime coordination. Mohammad Kazemi Role: Head of IRGC Intelligence Organisation Date of Death: June 13, 2025 Context: Died in Israeli strike targeting intelligence facilities Impact: Iran's top spymaster; responsible for internal security and counterintelligence. Gholamreza Mehrabi Role: Deputy Head of Intelligence, Iranian General Staff Date of Death: June 13, 2025 Context: Confirmed dead in coordinated Israeli targeting of Tehran military compounds Impact: Key military intelligence officer overseeing battlefield surveillance and analysis. Hassan Nasrallah (non-Iranian, key regional ally) Role: Secretary-General, Hezbollah Date of Death: September 2024 Context: Killed in Israeli airstrike in Beirut Impact: Strategic proxy and deterrent force against Israel; his death dismantled Iran's first-response deterrent in Lebanon. Bashar al-Assad (non-Iranian, strategic partner) Role: President of Syria Date of Death: December 2024 (Overthrown and later killed by rebel forces) Context: Fell after years of civil war; Tehran failed to keep him in power Impact: Collapse of Iran's military foothold in Syria; severed arms and logistics pipeline to Hezbollah. And Khamenei's losses extend beyond Iran's borders. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, long Tehran's regional ace and one of Khamenei's few true foreign confidants, was killed in a strike last September. Syria's Bashar al-Assad—propped up for years by Iranian guns and gold—was ousted by a rebel uprising in December. The famed 'Axis of Resistance' now lies in fragments, with its anchors in Lebanon and Damascus broken, and its leader in Tehran shaken. With Hezbollah weakened and Syria uncertain, Iran's deterrence posture is severely compromised. Its proxies are scattered, its supply lines disrupted, and its ability to escalate in multiple theatres constrained. For Israel, that's a strategic triumph. For the region, it raises the spectre of an emboldened Iran acting unpredictably. What Comes Next? In Tehran, the government has tried to project continuity. Missile salvos have been fired at Israeli targets. Speeches invoking vengeance have filled state television. But behind closed doors, the regime is scrambling. The new commanders lack the battlefield experience of their predecessors. The intelligence apparatus is disoriented. The regular army, traditionally sidelined by the Guards, may be asked to step in—further complicating the military chain of command. And over it all looms the figure of Mojtaba, untested in war, yet now central to crisis management. For Khamenei, the moment is existential. He has always prioritised regime survival above all else—over ideology, over diplomacy, over economy. That calculus hasn't changed. But with his most trusted men gone, the execution of that survival strategy is no longer guaranteed. As one Iranian insider put it, 'He is cautious. But he is now also alone.' And in the chessboard of the Middle East, there is no lonelier square than Tehran when the generals are gone, the allies are dead, and the war drums are pounding.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Written by Steve Jobs: Three 'most-important' words of Apple philosophy that define the company since almost past 50 years
The Apple Marketing Philosophy by Steve Jobs In a world where technology evolves faster than most companies can catch up, Apple's staying power isn't just impressive — it's historic. From revolutionizing personal computing to reimagining how we communicate, work, and listen to music, Apple has shaped nearly every corner of modern life. But behind every product launch, keynote, and sleek design lies a foundational philosophy that has remained unchanged for almost five decades. It all began in 1977, not with a marketing campaign or a product blueprint, but with a memo. A short, 88-word document that captured the soul of a company still finding its place in a chaotic tech landscape. Though it was penned by Apple's early investor and chairman Mike Markkula, it would come to be embraced and embodied most powerfully by co-founder Steve Jobs . These three deceptively simple words — Empathy, Focus, and Impute — have defined Apple ever since. And perhaps more remarkably, they still do. Inside 'The Apple Marketing Philosophy': The 'three words' that still shapes every big decision by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Order New Blinds Online & Get $199 Home Installation Learn More Undo The document, known as The Apple Marketing Philosophy, was not an abstract corporate vision statement. It was a hands-on guide — direct, sharp, and actionable. It didn't talk about profits, market share, or competition. Instead, it drilled into how Apple should think, behave, and communicate — both internally and with the world. It was a set of principles that Steve Jobs not only internalized but used as a compass every time Apple faced a critical decision. Let's break down the three words that have become Apple's north star. 1. Empathy Apple's first priority has never been what's trending — it's what the customer truly needs, even if they can't articulate it. That's what Empathy means in the Apple context. It's not just listening to feedback or conducting user surveys. It's putting yourself so completely in the shoes of your users that you anticipate their wants before they do. Steve Jobs was a master of this. He famously said, 'People don't know what they want until you show it to them.' That was never arrogance — it was insight. Apple's approach has always been: meet human need before technical spec. Empathy explains why the iPod wasn't just another MP3 player — it was a music revolution. Why the iPhone didn't just add a touchscreen — it redefined the phone entirely. It's why Apple software feels intuitive, even to a child, and why its hardware often 'just works.' 2. Focus One of the hardest disciplines in business is knowing what not to do. That's where Apple's second guiding word comes in. Focus has been Steve Jobs' personal mantra and a defining principle of Apple's product philosophy. Focus is why Apple never drowned itself in a dozen product lines. When Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, the company had a confusing sprawl of products. His first major act was to cut 70% of them. The result? A simplified product grid — desktop and portable, for consumers and pros — that laid the foundation for Apple's modern dominance. Focus doesn't mean limiting ambition. It means channeling it. Every ounce of Apple's creative energy is poured into a small number of products, each of which is obsessively crafted. That's why updates take longer. That's why features are rolled out only when Apple believes they're truly ready. And that's why users trust them. 3. Impute In Markkula's words: 'People DO judge a book by its cover.' And Apple has always known this better than anyone. The idea behind Impute is simple but profound — every interaction with a product, from packaging to advertising to interface design, sends a signal. That signal must always reflect care, quality, and thoughtfulness. When Steve Jobs returned to Apple, he didn't just focus on tech specs. He obsessed over font choices, box design, and store layouts. Because if a product looks cheap or cluttered, it will feel that way — regardless of how powerful it is inside. Impute is the reason why Apple Stores feel more like design museums than retail outlets. Why unboxing a new iPhone feels like an event. Why even the inside of a Mac is sometimes as beautiful as the outside. The message is clear: what you see is a reflection of what's underneath. Apple's secret? Three words that still run the show Nearly five decades later, Apple remains fiercely loyal to these three words. Not because of nostalgia, but because they work. When Steve Jobs passed, many wondered if Apple would drift. But the continued success of the iPhone, the rise of the Apple Watch, the evolution of Macs, and the company's growing dominance in services all suggest otherwise. Every major Apple move — from their push into custom silicon with the M-series chips to their cautious and considered rollout of Vision Pro — can be traced back to these principles. Empathy for how people really want to use technology. Focus on a narrow, high-quality product line. And Impute, ensuring that everything from keynote slides to App Store icons exudes intention and design clarity. Why these three words still matter in a noisy world In 2025, the tech industry is louder than ever. Artificial intelligence is reshaping entire sectors. Mixed reality is beginning to enter the mainstream. New gadgets appear and vanish in the blink of an eye. And yet, Apple remains not only relevant — but aspirational. That's no accident. It's because these three words are more than a philosophy. They are a filter. A way to cut through hype, avoid distractions, and deliver lasting value. For any company wondering how to endure, inspire, and lead — the answer isn't in chasing the latest trend. It's in embracing a few timeless truths. And if they're lucky, they'll write them down on one sheet of paper, just like Apple did in 1977. Also read | Steve Jobs was brilliant but don't copy this 'one habit' of him; warns Pixar's Pete Docter AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
