India

Viking textile fragments preserved by jewelry corrosion found in Denmark

Danish archaeologists have unearthed rare Viking-era textile remains near the town of Varde in Denmark. The wool and linen fabric fragments, approximately 1,300 years old, survived because corrosion from nearby jewelry helped preserve them. The discovery provides an uncommon window into how Viking women dressed during that period. Researchers plan to analyze the textile fibers and skeletal teeth to extract further historical details. Dating the textiles may also reveal whether the jewelry buried alongside them was newly acquired or passed down as an heirloom.

Russian Strikes on Kyiv Kill 27, Damage 50 Residential Buildings

Russian strikes on Ukraine's capital Kyiv have killed at least 27 people and damaged around 50 residential buildings. The attack is part of an escalating pattern of long-range strikes exchanged between Russia and Ukraine in recent months. Both sides have intensified such strikes, resulting in widespread fires and rising civilian casualties. The frequency and scale of these attacks have pushed civilian death tolls to record levels.

Glenn L. Martin National Wildlife Refuge Shields Migratory Birds Across 2,500 Acres

The Glenn L. Martin National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1954, was originally a private hunting preserve before being repurposed for wildlife conservation. Spanning over 2,500 acres, the refuge encompasses tidal marshes and wooded ridges that serve as critical habitat for migratory birds. The area provides seasonal shelter for waterfowl and nesting grounds for numerous bird species throughout the year. Beyond birds, the refuge also supports mammals, reptiles, and marine life, helping preserve the broader bay ecosystem. The site has grown considerably in size since its founding, strengthening its role as a key sanctuary for regional biodiversity.

27 killed, 50 homes damaged in Russian attack near Ukraine's Kyiv

Rahul Gandhi sidesteps Sonia memoir row, pivots to Kharge 'crime' allegation

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi declined to comment on the controversy surrounding his mother Sonia Gandhi's upcoming memoir, titled 'Belonging'. The book has drawn attention over reports of editorial changes that Sonia Gandhi allegedly rejected. Rahul redirected the conversation, stating his current focus was on what he described as a 'crime' against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The remarks signal an attempt by Rahul to shift political attention away from the internal party matter surrounding the memoir.

CIA Failed to Link Pre-9/11 Intelligence Identifying Attack Mastermind, Report Finds

A new report has found that the CIA failed to connect critical intelligence that named Khalid Sheikh Mohammed before the September 11 attacks. Mohammed is widely accused of organizing and directing the hijacking of the aircraft used in the attacks. The hijacked planes were deliberately crashed into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. The intelligence failure suggests key information existed prior to the attacks that could have potentially identified the plot's architect.

Two Dead After Dispute Over Neem Tree Turns Violent in Telangana Village

A long-standing dispute over a neem tree located beside a house in Erragadda Thanda village, Suryapet district, Telangana, turned deadly after a violent clash broke out. Two people were killed in the incident, triggering tension across the village. The conflict had reportedly been simmering for some time before escalating into violence. Authorities are monitoring the situation in the aftermath of the deadly confrontation.

Neeraj Chopra Out for Season With Ankle Ligament Tear, Misses Asian Games

Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra has been forced to end his 2026 season early after suffering a ligament tear in his ankle. The injury occurred during a training session, shortly after he had recorded his best throw of the season. As a result, Chopra will be unable to compete in the Diamond League Final or the upcoming Asian Games. The timing is particularly disappointing as the athlete had felt he was regaining his competitive form. Chopra is now focused on rehabilitation with the aim of returning stronger next season.

Chinese chipmaker CXMT sues Pentagon over military company designation

China's largest memory chipmaker, CXMT, has filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon this week, contesting the US government's classification of the company as a Chinese military entity. The firm argues that its DRAM chips are produced solely for civilian and commercial purposes. The legal challenge mirrors similar actions taken by other Chinese technology companies against US designations. The case underscores deepening trade and national security tensions between the United States and China.

Himachal Pradesh offers Rs 1.5 lakh housing grant to SC, ST and OBC residents

The Himachal Pradesh government's Swaran Jayanti Ashray Yojana provides financial assistance of Rs 1,50,000 to eligible residents for constructing new homes. The scheme targets individuals from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Other Backward Class categories who do not own any existing property. Applicants must be permanent residents of the state and comply with prescribed income eligibility criteria. The application process is conducted offline and requires submission of relevant supporting documents.

India Hotel Sector Set for Stronger Growth in H2 FY27 on Travel Demand

India's hotel industry is expected to gain significant momentum in the second half of fiscal year 2027, driven by robust domestic leisure travel. A recovery in corporate travel and an anticipated rise in international tourism are also expected to bolster overall sector performance. Constrained new hotel supply is likely to support stable room rates and healthy revenue per available room. The industry had already recorded gains in both occupancy levels and average room rates during the first quarter.

Next-Gen Air-to-Air Missiles Push Engagement Ranges Beyond 400 km

Air-to-air missile technology has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade, with engagement ranges expanding from around 200 km to 400–500 km. China's PL-17 and Russia's R-37M represent leading examples of these long-range systems currently in service. Europe's Meteor missile and India's Astra program have also significantly extended their respective air forces' combat reach. The United States is further pushing boundaries with the AIM-424 Malice, currently under development for even greater range capabilities. These advancements are fundamentally altering the tactics and dynamics of modern aerial warfare.

Case Filed Against Mamata Banerjee for Alleged Calcutta HC Order Violation

A legal case has been filed against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Chhatra Parishad organisers over an alleged violation of a Calcutta High Court order. Supporters at the event reportedly pushed barricades and clashed with police personnel. The incident also caused traffic disruptions on Cathedral Road. Additionally, the programme was said to have continued beyond the time limit permitted by the court.

Students Launch 'Gorilla Campaign' to Protest Monkey Menace at Panjab University

Students at Panjab University have launched an unusual protest campaign dubbed the 'Gorilla Campaign' to draw attention to a growing monkey problem on campus. The initiative aims to highlight the increasing presence of monkeys, which has become a concern for the university community. The campaign has gained enough traction to turn the monkey menace into a student election issue. Students hope the creative protest will pressure university authorities to take concrete action to address the problem.

Ukraine Drone Strikes Force Russia to Import Petrol from India

Russian fuel stations have begun rationing petrol following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on domestic oil refineries. The strikes have significantly disrupted Russia's refining capacity, triggering fuel shortages across the country despite its vast crude oil reserves. To bridge the supply gap, Russia has turned to importing finished petrol from countries including India. The situation underscores a critical distinction between possessing raw crude oil and having the refinery infrastructure to process it. The sustained damage to refineries is placing growing pressure on Russia's energy sector, which is central to its wartime economy.

Yogi calls SP a 'gang of dacoits', demands Akhilesh apologise for past UP rule

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sharply criticised the Samajwadi Party, accusing it of looting the state treasury during its time in power. He referred to the party as a 'gang of dacoits' and called on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to apologise for the alleged misrule. Adityanath highlighted development and law-and-order improvements under his government, contrasting them with what he described as the disorder of previous administrations. He also pointed to encephalitis deaths during earlier regimes as an example of irresponsible governance in the state.

US May Scrap 60-Day Grace Period for H-1B Visa Holders

The US Department of Homeland Security is reviewing a proposal to eliminate the 60-day grace period currently granted to foreign workers on H-1B visas. This provision presently allows workers who lose their jobs to remain in the US temporarily while seeking new employment or adjusting their immigration status. If removed, affected workers could be required to leave the country immediately upon losing their jobs. The change would significantly impact Indian professionals, who make up a large share of H-1B visa holders. A final decision has not yet been announced, as the proposal is still under evaluation.

Nepal Ex-Minister Says China Gave No Warning Before Deadly Cross-Border Floods

Catastrophic flash floods struck Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of people reported missing. A former Nepali minister has claimed that China failed to issue any advance warning before the floodwaters crossed into Nepal. The lack of prior notification has drawn criticism, as timely alerts could potentially have reduced casualties. The disaster has highlighted concerns over cross-border disaster communication between China and Nepal.

Assam Man Goes Missing Amid Nepal Floods, Family Appeals for Help

A man from Merapani, Assam, has gone missing following devastating floods in Nepal. His family is currently unaware of his whereabouts and is deeply concerned for his safety. The family has reached out to the government seeking assistance in locating him. Authorities have been urged to intervene and help trace the missing individual amid the flood crisis in Nepal.

Railways’ plan for Durga Puja rush: Special trains on key routes to Bengal