Retired couple converts derelict Cotswolds church into £700k holiday home

Rahul Gandhi urges Jharkhand CM Soren to address student recruitment exam protests

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has expressed full support for students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations. In a letter to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Gandhi urged the state government to engage directly with student representatives to resolve their grievances. Some protesters have launched an indefinite hunger strike as part of the ongoing agitation. Gandhi raised broader concerns about exploitation within India's education system by certain groups. Soren leads the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, a key ally of the Congress party in the state.

Prashant Kishor takes oath as Bankipur MLA after first Jan Suraaj victory

Florida's wild rhesus macaques found carrying dangerous herpes B virus

Wild rhesus macaques living in Florida have tested positive for herpes B virus, raising concerns about public health risks. A study found that approximately 25% of sampled monkeys had been infected with the virus. Some of the animals were actively shedding the virus, particularly during breeding season, increasing the risk of transmission. The virus strains identified in these wild populations are genetically close to dangerous versions known from laboratory settings. While no human infections from these wild macaques have been confirmed so far, health authorities remain cautious.

Sweden's Söderåsen National Park becomes one of northern Europe's largest protected forests

Söderåsen National Park in southern Sweden now spans over 1,600 hectares of broadleaf forest, making it one of northern Europe's largest protected woodland areas. The plateau was historically used as grazed heathland and suffered significant ecological damage due to intensive livestock grazing during the 18th and 19th centuries. Over time, the land has undergone remarkable natural regeneration, transforming into a thriving forest ecosystem. The park stands as a testament to the power of ecological restoration, preserving a landscape shaped by both nature and centuries of human activity.