Pooja was born in Kochi and raised on a mix of newspapers, pop culture, and too many questions. She studied Communicative English and Journalism before earning her Master’s in Journalism from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and began her career interning at The Times of India and Channel I'M — where she later became a news anchor, scripting and presenting her own stories. Between deadlines, she’s worked across digital media platforms, covering politics, gender, pop culture, cinema, and everything in between. She has interviewed actors, creators, and changemakers, and occasionally edits her own video content — thanks to being certified in Photoshop and InDesign. In 2025, she joined the Asian Media Group in her first “official” newsroom gig, where she now covers entertainment, lifestyle, and the layered realities of South Asian identity. She believes storytelling should feel personal — even when it’s public — and likes to write not to please, but to provoke, question, and occasionally stir the pot.
Ramadan is a sacred journey—one of patience, self-discipline, and spiritual renewal. But let’s be real: fasting for long hours while juggling work, prayers, and daily life? It’s not always smooth sailing.
Luckily, 2025 is redefining how we fast. From mindfulness apps that keep you grounded to fitness routines that respect your energy levels, technology is making Ramadan more balanced and fulfilling than ever. Here are five must-try tools to help you fast smarter, stay energized, and embrace the true essence of Ramadan.
1. Sabr: Your spiritual & mental wellness companion
Fasting can test your patience—especially when hunger and fatigue kick in. That’s where Sabr comes in. Designed to strengthen both your mind and soul, this app helps you reduce anxiety, increase confidence, sleep better, and improve your relationship with Allah. With guided duas, reflections, and mindfulness exercises, Sabr ensures your spiritual journey remains strong even on the toughest fasting days.
Find peace within—strengthen your patience, faith, and mindfulness this Ramadan with SabriStock
Ramadan Tip: Struggling with mid-day exhaustion? Try a quick "5-Minute Sabr Reset"—a calming audio session designed to help you regain focus, patience, and spiritual clarity before your next prayer.
2. Harmony Studios: Yoga that balances your Fast, not go against it
Think working out while fasting is impossible? Think again. Harmony Studios specializes in gentle, energy-preserving yoga designed to keep you active without draining your strength. Whether you need a quick stretch before Suhoor or a relaxing cooldown post-Taraweeh, their classes are tailored to complement fasting.
Stay active without draining your energy—gentle yoga that aligns with your fasting routineiStock
Ramadan Tip: Feeling bloated after Iftar? Try the "Seated Digestion Flow"—a 10-minute yoga session designed to aid digestion and help your body feel light before night prayers.
If you’ve ever lost track of prayer times or struggled to plan Suhoor and Iftar, Muslim Pro has your back. With precise prayer alerts, a full Quran with audio recitations, and a built-in fasting tracker, it’s like having a personal Ramadan assistant in your pocket.
Never miss a prayer or Suhoor again—track your Ramadan goals with Muslim ProiStock
Ramadan Tip: Turn on the “Ibadah Reminder” to get gentle nudges throughout the day—whether it’s time for Dhikr, a short Quran session, or a reminder to make dua.
4. Al Quran (Tafsir & by Word): A personal spiritual deep dive
Ramadan is the month of the Quran, and this app takes your understanding to the next level. Al Quran (Tafsir & by Word) breaks down verses word by word, offers in-depth tafsirs (interpretations), and features recitations from over 30 renowned Qaris.
Deepen your connection with the Quran—explore tafsir and word-by-word meanings effortlesslyiStock
Ramadan Tip: Not sure where to start? Try the "1 Verse a Day Reflection"—a feature that helps you focus on one powerful verse daily, with explanations to deepen your understanding.
Ramadan is meant to be a communal experience, but what if your loved ones are far away? Ummah connects Muslims across the globe, letting you join live prayer circles, participate in group Quran recitations, and even share virtual Iftar gatherings.
Fasting feels better together—join a global Muslim community this Ramadan with UmmahiStock
Ramadan Tip: Join the "Dua for Each Other" group—where you can post personal duas and have fellow Muslims around the world pray for you during this blessed month.
Fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food and water—it’s about spiritual growth, discipline, and connection. These 2025 innovations aren’t just cool features; they’re tools to help you embrace Ramadan with more balance, focus, and ease.
So why struggle through fasting when you can thrive in it? Whether you’re starting your day with mindful intentions, moving your body with fasting-friendly yoga, or connecting with fellow Muslims across the globe, this Ramadan is all about making your spiritual journey smoother and more meaningful.
Here’s to a Ramadan filled with clarity, connection, and calm. Happy fasting!
President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a vascular condition affecting blood flow in the legs
CVI occurs when leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart, often leading to swelling and discomfort
The condition was confirmed following visible leg swelling and bruising
Though not life-threatening, CVI can worsen without treatment
Trump’s case has sparked public interest in the risks and management of the condition
Trump diagnosed with common but chronic vein condition
President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that affects the proper circulation of blood in the legs. The announcement followed public speculation after Trump was seen with visible swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his hand during recent public appearances.
According to a statement from White House medical staff, tests ruled out more serious cardiovascular conditions. Trump, 79, remains under regular observation, with the condition described as benign and manageable.
What is chronic venous insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a long-term circulatory disorder in which the veins in the legs fail to efficiently pump blood back to the heart. This is typically caused by weakened or damaged valves inside the veins, leading to blood pooling or flowing backwards—a condition known as venous reflux.
Unlike a sudden or acute event such as a blood clot, CVI develops slowly over time, often unnoticed in its early stages.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can range from mild to more serious, and commonly include:
Swelling in the legs or ankles
Aching, cramping, or heaviness in the lower limbs
Visible varicose veins
Skin thickening or discolouration, especially near the ankles
In more advanced cases, ulcers or open sores
The symptoms often worsen after long periods of standing or sitting, and may ease with movement or leg elevation.
Who is at risk?
CVI is more common among:
Individuals aged 50 and above
People with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Those who are overweight or sedentary
Individuals with high blood pressure
Pregnant women and those with a family history of venous disease
Age is a major risk factor, particularly for individuals in their 70s and beyond. Trump’s diagnosis falls within this common demographic.
How is it diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis typically involves a clinical examination, followed by imaging tests such as duplex ultrasound to assess blood flow and valve function in the leg veins.
Treatment aims to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and improve quality of life. Options include:
Compression stockings to improve circulation
Lifestyle modifications such as exercise, leg elevation, and weight management
Medications to reduce inflammation or thin the blood if needed
Minimally invasive procedures, such as laser therapy or sclerotherapy, for more severe cases
Trump’s condition is reportedly being managed conservatively, with no indication of surgical intervention at this time.
Why does it matter?
Although not life-threatening, CVI can affect comfort and mobility, especially in older adults. In Trump’s case, the diagnosis has prompted a wave of public attention, highlighting the pressures of health scrutiny for leaders in high office.
The condition itself is common and treatable, but left unmanaged, it can lead to chronic swelling, discomfort, and skin complications. Trump’s medical team has confirmed that his overall health remains stable, with regular monitoring in place.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
She is wearing a turquoise dress with a rainforest-themed print featuring monkeys, toucans, and lemurs
Queen Camilla turns 78 and is expected to celebrate privately at home
Official birthday portrait taken at Raymill House, Wiltshire
Outfit features rainforest-themed print; jewellery includes iconic diamond ring
Recent royal duties include state visits, Trooping the Colour, and military engagements
Appointed Vice Admiral of the UK on the same day
Queen Camilla marks birthday with relaxed countryside portrait
A new photograph of Queen Camilla has been released by Buckingham Palace to mark her 78th birthday. The image, captured by royal photographer Chris Jackson, shows the Queen leaning on a metal gate in a field at her private home, Raymill House, in Wiltshire.
She is wearing a turquoise dress with a rainforest-themed print featuring monkeys, toucans, and lemurs. Her accessories include gold drop earrings, her wedding band, a five-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring, and a distinctive gold ring composed of circular plaques.
Private birthday after a year of public engagements
Unlike last year, when Queen Camilla carried out official duties on her birthday during the State Opening of Parliament, this year’s occasion is expected to be celebrated in private.
The photo, taken earlier this month, provides a personal glimpse of the Queen in a more relaxed setting, offering contrast to a busy few months of public service.
A year of significant royal activity
Earlier this year, Queen Camilla and King Charles III celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. Despite the King’s ongoing cancer treatment, the couple have maintained a strong presence in national and international events.
Recent engagements have included:
Hosting French President Emmanuel Macron during a UK state visit
Attending Trooping the Colour in June
Visiting Canada in May for the opening of the country’s parliament
This week, the Queen also visited a children’s hospice in Devon and HMS Astute, a nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine, docked in Plymouth.
A one-of-a-kind birthday gift from the Royal Navy
While aboard HMS Astute, Queen Camilla received a unique birthday present from Commander Christopher Bate: a roll of clingfilm mounted in a commemorative holder. The material had previously been used to fix a defect in the submarine’s main engines. A plaque on the holder read: “Clingfilm keeping nuclear submarines at sea.”
Camilla appeared amused and appreciative, remarking: “There's nothing more useful, brilliant, how wonderful.”
Royal Navy honour on birthday
On the same day as her visit to HMS Astute, it was announced that Queen Camilla had been appointed Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom. The honorary military title recognises her continuing support of the Royal Navy and its service personnel.
The new portrait and the appointment reflect both the personal and public aspects of Queen Camilla’s evolving royal role as she enters her 79th year.
Keep ReadingShow less
8 babies have been born in the UK using genetic material from 3 people
Eight babies were born in the UK using DNA from three individuals to prevent mitochondrial disease
The technique combines egg and sperm from parents with mitochondria from a donor egg
Legal in the UK since 2015; results show children are meeting expected milestones
One in 5,000 babies are born with mitochondrial disease; no known cure exists
Newcastle scientists pioneered the technique, now used under NHS specialist service
UK births mark milestone in preventing inherited mitochondrial disease
Eight babies have been born in the UK using genetic material from three people in a pioneering effort to prevent incurable mitochondrial disease, doctors have confirmed. The technique, developed by researchers in Newcastle, represents a significant breakthrough in reproductive medicine and genetic science.
These births are the first proven cases in the UK of healthy children being born free of devastating mitochondrial disorders thanks to this technique, which has been legal in the country since 2015.
Mitochondrial disease, affecting about one in every 5,000 births, can cause heart failure, seizures, blindness, and early death. The newly available technique offers families affected by the condition the chance to break the cycle and give birth to children without the disease.
How the process works
The procedure involves combining the egg and sperm from the biological parents with healthy mitochondria from a donor egg. Both the mother's and the donor's eggs are fertilised with the father's sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are carefully processed: the nuclear DNA from the parents is transferred into the donor's embryo, which contains healthy mitochondria but had its own nuclear DNA removed.
The resulting embryo is mostly composed of the parents' genetic material but includes a small fraction—about 0.1%—of DNA from the donor. This change is heritable and would be passed on by any female offspring.
Results and reactions
A report published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirmed that 22 families have undergone the procedure through the Newcastle Fertility Centre. Eight babies have been born so far—four boys and four girls, including a pair of twins—with one pregnancy still ongoing.
None of the children have shown signs of mitochondrial disease and all are developing normally, meeting their expected milestones. One child experienced a self-resolving case of epilepsy, while another is being treated for a non-related heart rhythm condition. Doctors have not linked these instances to the mitochondrial technique.
Parents involved in the programme have chosen to remain anonymous but shared written statements expressing gratitude. "After years of uncertainty, this treatment gave us hope—and then it gave us our baby," one mother said. Another noted: "The emotional burden of mitochondrial disease has been lifted, and in its place is hope, joy, and deep gratitude."
Monitoring and concerns
Intensive follow-up is being carried out to monitor the long-term health of these children. In five cases, no diseased mitochondria were detected in blood or urine samples. In three other cases, between 5% and 20% of faulty mitochondria were identified—well below the 80% threshold typically associated with disease.
While these results are encouraging, researchers emphasise the need for further investigation into how to minimise the transfer of defective mitochondria during the process. "The findings give grounds for optimism," said Professor Mary Herbert of Newcastle and Monash University, "but further research is essential to improve treatment outcomes."
Ethical and legislative landscape
The UK was the first country in the world to legalise mitochondrial donation after Parliament approved the procedure in 2015. This marked a controversial but decisive step in reproductive ethics, as the addition of donor mitochondrial DNA results in heritable genetic change.
Concerns at the time centred around the possibility of creating genetically modified "designer babies". However, scientists and medical professionals involved in the procedure have been keen to stress its limited and therapeutic purpose.
"This is the only place in the world this could have happened," said Professor Sir Doug Turnbull of Newcastle University. "There’s been world-class science, legislation, NHS support, and now we have eight children free of mitochondrial disease. What a wonderful result."
Hope for the future
Families affected by mitochondrial disease have hailed the development as a major breakthrough. Kat Kitto, whose daughter Poppy, 14, lives with the condition, described its impact: "We have a lovely time as she is, but there are moments where you realise how devastating mitochondrial disease is."
Her older daughter Lily, 16, may benefit from the technique in the future: "It's the future generations like myself, or my children, who can have that outlook of a normal life."
The NHS Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders, which oversees the procedures, expects demand for 20 to 30 such births annually. The Lily Foundation, a charity supporting families affected by mitochondrial disease, called the births a long-awaited step forward. "For many affected families, it's the first real hope of breaking the cycle of this inherited condition," said founder Liz Curtis.
While challenges remain, the birth of these eight children free from mitochondrial disease stands as a landmark achievement in modern medicine—and a beacon of hope for future generations.
Keep ReadingShow less
The rollout is part of Sainsbury’s broader Nectar Prices strategy
Sainsbury’s will roll out Your Nectar Prices to physical checkouts nationwide from 25 July.
Scheme gives loyalty members access to personalised discounts based on shopping habits.
Over 17 billion tailored offers generated since launch; £60m saved by customers in the last year.
More than one million shoppers currently use the feature weekly.
Offers now available in-store, online, via app, and soon, at checkout.
Sainsbury's brings personalised loyalty savings directly to the tills
Sainsbury’s will extend its Your Nectar Prices programme to checkouts across the UK starting Friday, 25 July. The move allows Nectar members to receive personalised discounts directly at the tills for the first time, as part of the retailer’s continued investment in digital loyalty.
The supermarket has already issued over 17 billion tailored offers since launching the scheme, with more than one million customers using it weekly. According to the retailer, these offers have helped shoppers collectively save £60 million over the past year.
Previously, Your Nectar Prices was available only through the SmartShop app, Sainsbury’s website, and the Nectar app. Now, with the expansion to checkouts, the scheme becomes more accessible to in-store customers.
How it works
To take advantage of the Your Nectar Prices discounts, customers must be digitally registered with Nectar. Each Friday, users need to “tap to unlock” their personalised deals via the Nectar app or website. Once activated, the offers are automatically applied at checkout – in-store or online.
Shoppers can receive up to 10 tailored discounts per week, based on their regular buying habits. Sainsbury’s estimates these could amount to savings of over £150 annually per customer.
A key milestone in loyalty personalisation
Mark Given, Chief Marketing, Data & Sustainability Officer at Sainsbury’s, commented on the expansion:
“Over the past few years, we’ve made significant strides with Nectar, with Nectar Prices being a big part of that success, bringing great value to millions of customers.
But what really sets us apart is that we’re leading the way by making loyalty personal. Shoppers want to feel recognised and rewarded and while Nectar Prices are for everyone, we know our customers love an offer that is made just for them.”
“Every week over a million customers are making the most of their personalised discounts and, by rolling this out to our checkouts, we’re opening the door for millions more to grab fantastic offers on the items they already purchase and maybe even discover some new favourites.”
Part of the wider Sainsbury Nectar Prices strategy
The rollout is part of Sainsbury’s broader Nectar Prices strategy, which offers savings on thousands of everyday items to all Nectar cardholders. The retailer encourages customers to use both the standard and personalised offers for maximum benefit.
Your Nectar Prices, launched four years ago, covers a wide range of categories including fresh food, household essentials, health & beauty, baby items, and pet care.
Keep ReadingShow less
The Palm House, along with the neighbouring Waterlily House, will be transformed
Kew Gardens will shut its iconic Palm House for up to four years
Grade I-listed building to undergo major restoration as part of net-zero strategy
Gas boilers to be replaced with modern heat pumps
Rare plant collection, including 45 endangered species, to be relocated during works
Palm House and Waterlily House will become the first net-zero glasshouses globally
Historic Palm House to undergo major upgrade
Kew Gardens will temporarily close one of its most recognisable landmarks, the Grade I-listed Palm House, for up to four years as part of an ambitious net-zero redevelopment plan. Opened in 1848, the glasshouse is home to a globally significant collection of tropical plants and houses the world’s oldest potted plant—an Encephalartos altensteinii dating back to 1775.
The Palm House, along with the neighbouring Waterlily House, will be transformed into the world’s first net-zero glasshouses through a large-scale renovation focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Plans to modernise historic infrastructure
The project, submitted last week to Richmond-upon-Thames borough council, will replace ageing gas boilers—installed more than 100 years ago—with modern heat pumps. These upgrades are designed to help Kew Gardens meet its sustainability targets while preserving the conditions required to house rare tropical species.
Each pane of glass in the structure will be removed and recycled. New, more robust glazing will be fitted using advanced sealants designed to retain heat and humidity, crucial for plant survival.
The Palm House’s iron ribs will also be stripped, repaired and repainted in the original colour used when the structure first opened.
Funding for the scheme will come from a combination of grants and private investment.
Protecting rare and endangered plant life
During the renovation, the entire plant collection—comprising towering palms, passion plants, and 45 species at risk of extinction—will be carefully relocated to temporary glasshouses to ensure their survival.
Tom Pickering, head of glasshouse collections at Kew, described the project as both a dream and a major responsibility. “The aim is to make the Palm House energy efficient while retaining all the magic of what it is today in terms of planting and horticulture,” he said.
Reviving a global icon with modern innovation
Richard Deverell, director of Kew Gardens, emphasised the urgency of the work, saying: “The Palm House and Waterlily House represented the latest in design and build at the time of their construction, but they are showing serious signs of deterioration and are not at all energy efficient.”
“Without urgent work, these iconic listed buildings and the vital tropical plants they protect are at risk of being lost forever,” he added.
Deverell called the project an “epic opportunity” to combine cutting-edge technology with heritage conservation. He said architects, engineers and Kew’s horticultural team have already spent years developing and testing the features that will help secure the buildings’ future.