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Most recently published stories on Vocal.
Creating Lasting Impact by Building a Growth Mindset Culture Through Purpose-Driven Teaching
Schools have the power to shape how students see learning and themselves. Building a growth mindset culture through purpose-driven teaching helps students believe they can improve and understand why their growth matters. When students see both possibility and purpose, they engage more deeply and work with greater focus.
By Thomas Kuriakose, MD3 days ago in Education
The Hare and the Falcon
Once there was a Hare living in his form. He had been passing his days unhurriedly without fleeing from predators when one afternoon, he heard the news that a Falcon was going to settle nearby. Frightened by the thought that his life was soon about to end, the Hare stayed up all night working his way to build a rock wall enclosing his home. He arranged the stones in neat order, carefully ensuring that there were no holes too big that the Falcon would get through. He ventured out to search for blackberry bushes, in the hope that the prickles would scare the Falcon away, and slipped some of them through the rocks on his wall and used the remaining as the roof. He left an opening small enough for him to enter, and when he was done and had settled inside, he closed the gap with his last shrub of blackberry and went to sleep.
By Andy Dhanj3 days ago in Fiction
The Sparrow and Her Young Ones
Lying atop a tree was the nest of a Mother Sparrow. She had five eggs ready to hatch, nestled neatly inside the roost. Her mate was nowhere to be found, but she could think no more of that matter at the moment, for the eggs were shifting in place. Excitement fell over the Mother Sparrow, and, chirping hysterically, she hopped toward them, anticipating the beautiful moment.
By Andy Dhanj3 days ago in Fiction
Scavenging School
Right after the sun had set, there was movement on the fallen leaves sprinkled across the ground. Flashing through the grass was a young field mouse, about two weeks old, already past his childhood and into adolescence. His fur reflected a brunette shade, mingled with the golden light from the sun. Suddenly he stopped, sniffed around, and wandered off in confusion. Somewhere behind him sounded another of his kind.
By Andy Dhanj3 days ago in Fiction
The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford
A masterpiece of modernist fiction, The Good Soldier was first published in 1915. Subtitled A Tale of Passion, it serves to be Ford's analysis of deception and moral ambiguity and what that means when relationships begin to disintegrate. A great example (if overlooked) of the 'unreliable narrator', this book is a highly influential one which, if you're looking for an immersive classic, this is the one you want to turn towards.
By Annie Kapur3 days ago in Geeks
InformNapalm: Ukrainian Hackers Discover How Russian Drone Operators Use Belarus. AI-Generated.
A team of Ukrainian cyber researchers affiliated with the volunteer intelligence organization InformNapalm has published findings revealing how Russian military drone operators are reportedly using Belarusian territory to conduct reconnaissance and logistical support missions. The revelations add another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and highlight the role of Belarus in facilitating Russian military operations. According to the report released by InformNapalm, Ukrainian hackers were able to access internal communications, flight logs, and operational manuals detailing how Russian drone units coordinate their flights from Belarusian airspace. The leaked data allegedly shows that drone operators use Belarusian regions as staging points to conduct intelligence-gathering, monitor troop movements, and assist in artillery targeting within northern Ukraine. Strategic Use of Belarusian Territory The report claims that Belarus, under President Alexander Lukashenko, has allowed Russian forces to use its territory not only for launching drones but also for storing spare parts, refueling, and crew rotations. Some leaked documents suggest that Russian drones often cross the Ukrainian border in the early hours, minimizing detection risks, and transmit real-time data to command centers deep inside Russian territory. “Belarus is effectively a staging ground for Russian unmanned operations,” the InformNapalm briefing states. “The use of Belarusian soil allows the Russian military to expand its intelligence reach without immediately exposing assets to Ukrainian countermeasures.” Cyber Discovery and Analysis InformNapalm’s report emphasizes that its team did not physically infiltrate Belarusian or Russian military bases. Instead, the findings are based on a combination of intercepted communications, metadata analysis, and OSINT (open-source intelligence) techniques. The group claims to have cross-checked locations, flight patterns, and drone types with satellite imagery and local sources to verify the data. One portion of the analysis focused on small, tactical drones reportedly used to identify Ukrainian positions for artillery strikes. These drones are said to operate under short-range guidance protocols but rely on Belarusian relay stations to extend their operational range, allowing Russian units to target positions hundreds of kilometers inside Ukraine. Implications for Ukraine and International Observers Ukrainian military analysts have described the findings as a potential game-changer in understanding the cross-border logistics of Russian operations. The use of Belarusian territory could explain patterns in artillery accuracy and drone surveillance reported in northern regions of Ukraine, particularly near the border with Belarus. The report also raises questions about Belarus’ level of involvement and complicity in the conflict. While Minsk has officially maintained that it is not an active participant in hostilities, the revelations could heighten scrutiny from Western governments, particularly those providing military aid to Ukraine. A defense analyst noted, “If the Ukrainian findings are accurate, it would confirm that Belarusian territory is being leveraged for tactical advantage, which could alter how NATO and Ukraine plan countermeasures along that border.” Russian Denials and International Reactions At this stage, neither the Russian Ministry of Defense nor the Belarusian government has formally responded to the InformNapalm report. Previous statements from Moscow and Minsk have denied using Belarusian territory for offensive operations, describing any cross-border activity as routine military exercises or training flights. International observers have cautioned that the claims, while detailed, are difficult to independently verify without physical inspections or corroboration from neutral third parties. Nevertheless, the use of cyber intelligence in modern warfare has become increasingly influential, giving Ukraine a strategic advantage in countering drone and artillery operations. Cyber Warfare as a Strategic Tool InformNapalm’s findings illustrate the growing role of cyber warfare in modern conflicts. Ukrainian hackers and OSINT communities are increasingly able to access sensitive operational data, exposing tactics, supply lines, and vulnerabilities in real time. Analysts note that such capabilities may act as a deterrent or provide actionable intelligence for battlefield decisions. “This is a clear example of asymmetric advantage,” said one security expert. “Even small groups, using cyber and open-source intelligence, can reveal critical details about a larger adversary’s operations.” Looking Ahead If confirmed, the report could have diplomatic ramifications for Belarus, particularly regarding its relationships with NATO countries and the European Union. Ukrainian officials have not yet indicated whether the data will be used in formal diplomatic channels, but military planners are reportedly analyzing the information to adjust border security and air defense strategies. For now, InformNapalm’s disclosures provide a rare glimpse into the operational mechanics of Russian drone deployments, highlighting the interconnectedness of cyber intelligence, territorial logistics, and modern aerial warfare in the ongoing conflict.
By Fiaz Ahmed 3 days ago in Longevity





