India

1,500-Year-Old Moche Child Burial Found in Peru With Musical Artifacts

Archaeologists have uncovered a 1,500-year-old infant burial site in northern Peru. The child was interred alongside whistles, a rattle, and a sculptural vessel. The burial bears hallmarks of the ancient Moche civilization, providing a rare glimpse into their cultural practices. Notably, the grave was located within a residential area, shedding light on everyday Moche life. Excavations at the site are ongoing as researchers work to deepen their understanding of this ancient community.

Volkswagen Plans to Cut Up to 100,000 Jobs Amid Weak Demand and China Rivalry

Volkswagen is planning a major restructuring that could eliminate between 50,000 and 100,000 jobs. The move comes as the German automaker faces declining consumer demand and intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers. If fully carried out, the cuts would represent one of the largest workforce reductions in automotive industry history. The scale of the restructuring underscores the mounting pressure on legacy carmakers to adapt to a rapidly shifting global market.

US Embassies Pause Immigrant Visa Interviews Worldwide Amid Officer Training

US embassies around the world have put immigrant visa interviews on hold as newly recruited officers undergo training. The move is aimed at standardizing how visa applicants are assessed, particularly regarding public charge criteria. The pause has disrupted plans for many applicants who had already spent money on travel and accommodation arrangements. The State Department has not yet provided a timeline for when the suspended interviews will resume.

Fire at Russian gas complex kills 7, nine Chinese workers still missing

A fire at a gas chemical complex in Russia's Amur region killed seven people on Tuesday. Six of the victims were Chinese nationals working at the facility. Nine additional Chinese workers remain unaccounted for following the blaze. The fire was subsequently brought under control and extinguished. The plant's press service confirmed the casualties and the ongoing search for missing personnel.

Anthropic shifts SF staff to WFH amid security contractor strike threat

Anthropic instructed its San Francisco employees to work from home on Monday and Tuesday following a warning from security contractor Allied Universal about a potential guard strike. However, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents the security workers, denied issuing any strike threat or calling a strike authorisation vote this week. The union has been in ongoing negotiations with California security firms over wages and healthcare benefits since April. The situation created a precautionary disruption at Anthropic's offices despite the union distancing itself from any imminent strike action.

11-Year-Old Discovers 48-Million-Year-Old Turtle Fossil in Wyoming

An 11-year-old child made a remarkable paleontological discovery by finding a turtle fossil estimated to be 48 million years old in Wyoming. The find was reported by the Times of India, though the exact location within Wyoming and the date of discovery were not specified in the available information. Fossils of this age typically date to the Eocene epoch, a period significant for early mammal and reptile evolution. The discovery highlights how significant paleontological finds can be made by amateur enthusiasts, including young children, in fossil-rich regions like Wyoming.

Jewellery Brand Pulls Raksha Bandhan Ad Featuring Kriti Sanon After Outfit Backlash

A jewellery brand has withdrawn its Raksha Bandhan advertisement featuring actress Kriti Sanon following public criticism over her outfit in the campaign. The controversy centred on what viewers deemed an inappropriate choice of clothing for the traditional festival. Sanon defended her attire, emphasising that the spirit and emotional meaning of Raksha Bandhan matter more than what one wears. The brand issued a formal apology to those who felt offended, while reaffirming its respect for Indian culture and festive traditions.

Oregon teen launches free platform connecting students with research mentors

Riya Velhal, a high school junior from Oregon, founded StratScholar after facing challenges during her own research internship. The free platform is designed to connect middle and high school students with mentorship and research resources. StratScholar aims to make research experiences more accessible to young students who may otherwise lack guidance. The initiative also focuses on building critical research and communication skills among its users.

Flyover Collapse in J&K's Samba Kills One Labourer, Leaves Another Critical

A section of an under-construction flyover collapsed in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident resulted in the death of one labourer at the site. A second worker sustained critical injuries in the collapse. The accident occurred while construction work was underway on the flyover project.

Lunar Eclipse on Raksha Bandhan 2026 Won't Affect Rituals as It's Invisible in India

In 2026, Raksha Bandhan will coincide with a lunar eclipse, raising questions about whether the event would affect traditional observances. However, since the lunar eclipse will not be visible from India, the eclipse-related religious restrictions known as Sutak will not apply. Celebrants across the country can therefore proceed with the festival's customary rituals without any concern. They are advised to follow the traditional auspicious Muhurta timings for performing Rakhi ceremonies as usual.

15 Newborns Killed in Fire After AC Compressor Blast at Pakistan Hospital

A devastating fire broke out at a hospital nursery in Pakistan on Wednesday morning after an air conditioner compressor exploded. The blaze rapidly engulfed the ward, resulting in the deaths of 15 infants. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety standards and emergency preparedness in the country's healthcare facilities. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the compressor failure and the hospital's response to the emergency.

Jharkhand Teen Loses Both Hands After Train Strikes Her During Reel Shoot

A 19-year-old woman in Jharkhand's Garhwa district suffered a devastating accident while filming a social media reel near a railway track. She was struck by a passing train during the incident, resulting in both her hands being severed. The young woman sustained severe injuries from the collision. The incident highlights the growing danger of filming social media content in hazardous locations near railway tracks.

Google Launches Gemini Enterprise for Legal to Compete with OpenAI, Anthropic

Google has introduced Gemini Enterprise for Legal, an AI-powered suite of tools aimed at streamlining workflows within law firms. The product is designed to compete directly with similar legal AI offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic. It promises seamless integration with existing legal software while placing a strong emphasis on data security. The move signals a growing push by major AI companies to establish a foothold in the legal services sector.

Manipur's Chungreng Koren one win away from UFC contract at Road to UFC

Manipuri MMA fighter Chungreng Koren has revived his UFC ambitions after a difficult period following a loss to Rabindra Dhant. He secured a place in the Road to UFC semifinals by submitting an unbeaten opponent in the quarterfinals. Koren will next face Japan's Ryo Tajima in Shanghai, with a spot in the tournament final on the line. A win would put him within reach of a coveted UFC contract, making it one of the most significant bouts of his career. The fight carries added weight as Koren now competes under the expectations of an entire nation watching his journey.

NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani Distances Himself from RSS Chief Bhagwat's NY Event

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has publicly stated he does not support an upcoming rally tied to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in New York. The event is scheduled for August 29 and is being promoted on its official website as the 'Universal Oneness Celebration.' Organizers describe it as a gathering aimed at bringing together the Hindu American community. Mamdani's remarks signal a clear political distancing from the event ahead of its scheduled date.

BJP MLA's private car washed by govt fire brigade in Singrauli, video sparks outrage

A video circulating on social media shows government fire brigade personnel washing a BJP MLA's private vehicle in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh. The incident took place outside the official residence of MLA Ramniwas Shah. Three fire brigade staff members were seen using a hose to clean the car, raising concerns over misuse of public resources. The footage has drawn significant attention online and criticism from the public. Neither MLA Shah nor the fire department has responded officially to the allegations so far.

Padma Shri Hirbai Lobi honoured for transforming lives in Gujarat's Siddi community

Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi, a social activist from Gujarat, has been awarded the Padma Shri for her dedicated work with the Siddi tribal community. Her efforts have focused on improving access to education and building financial independence among women and children. Through sustained grassroots work, she is credited with positively impacting over 700 lives. Her meeting with President Droupadi Murmu drew widespread attention and highlighted the significance of community-level activism.

Bank Holidays on August 26: Check full list of cities where banks are closed

US sends 30-year Saudi nuclear deal to Congress, ties it to Israel normalization

The United States has formally submitted a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review. The proposed 30-year deal would allow American companies to participate in developing Saudi Arabia's nuclear program. Congress has a 90-day window to assess the agreement for potential nuclear proliferation risks. However, the pact is conditional on Saudi Arabia normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia's position on Palestinian statehood continues to be a major obstacle to any such normalization.

Adani Energy Solutions Bags Rs 4,700 Crore Power Transmission Project in Maharashtra

Adani Energy Solutions has secured a major transmission project worth Rs 4,700 crore in Maharashtra. The project is expected to strengthen the state's power infrastructure significantly. It will provide support to the expanding pumped storage ecosystem across key regions. The areas set to benefit include Satara, Pune, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).