Guru Purnima 2026 will be celebrated across India on Wednesday, July 29, to honour teachers, spiritual masters and mentors. The festival falls on Ashadha Purnima and is associated with Maharishi Veda Vyasa, the Adiyogi tradition and India’s ancient guru-shishya relationship. Guru Purnima 2026 date and time in India Guru Purnima will be celebrated in India on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The f

The France and Spain wildfire crisis has forced hundreds of thousands of people to leave threatened communities as Gironde fires advance near Bordeaux and Spain fires affect Madrid, Ávila and Valencia. Emergency crews and EU aircraft are supporting large-scale rescue operations. Gironde fires threaten Bordeaux communities Wildfires continued burning across France and Spain on Monday, July 27,

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged Income Tax officials to stop making citizens chase departments for services they are legally entitled to receive. Sitharaman Tells Tax Officers to Serve Citizens Without Delay Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has asked Income Tax Department officials to ensure that taxpayers and ordinary citizens are not forced to move repeatedly between government offices for routine services and benefits that

China has constructed a detailed, full-scale target resembling a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer at a remote testing range in Xinjiang. Satellite imagery attributed to US geospatial company Vantor suggests the model could help China study missile targeting, surveillance and strike coordination against a moving naval platform. Desert Target Shows Greater Structural Detail The China ship repl

Ashada Masam 2026 begins on July 15 and ends with Amavasya on August 12. The Telugu lunar month is known as Shunya Masam, yet it remains spiritually important for Bonalu, Rath Yatra, Gupt Navratri, Toli Ekadashi, Chaturmasya and Guru Purnima festivals. Ashada Masam is the fourth month in the traditional Telugu lunar calendar and holds an important place in Hindu religious customs. Although many families avoid weddings, housewarming ceremonies and other auspicious ev

Varahi Navratri is a sacred period dedicated to Maa Varahi, the protective warrior form of Divine Shakti. This guide explains the 2026 dates, Varahi vrat vidhan, nine forms, fasting practices, Satvik food, mantra worship and traditionally believed benefits. Varahi Navratri 2026 dates and significance Varahi Navratri, also called Ashadha Gupt Navratri, begins on July 15, 2026. The main Navratri observance contin

Iran nuclear site repairs appear to be underway at Taleghan 2, Parchin and Pickaxe Mountain after recent US-Israeli strikes. Satellite imagery shows cranes, vehicles and cleared impact areas, but Iran and international inspectors have not confirmed the work’s purpose. Taleghan 2 repairs visible in satellite imagery Recent high-resolution satellite images indicate repair and rehabilitation activity at Taleghan

The Odyssey IMAX tickets have appeared on eBay with asking prices reaching $1,000 before Christopher Nolan’s film opens on Friday, July 17, 2026. Limited IMAX 70mm venues, opening-weekend demand and Nolan’s reputation have helped create a costly resale market. Advance sales for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey have produced a costly resale market, with tickets for selected opening-weekend IMAX 70mm screenings

Khamenei burial concludes days of mourning Khamenei burial ceremonies ended on Thursday, July 9, as Iran laid late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to rest at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, one of the holiest sites in Shiite Islam. The burial followed six days of funeral processions across Iran and Iraq, with authorities and state-linked outlets describing mass

All is well between CM Vijay and son Jason Sanjay? Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor Thalapathy Vijay has been making headlines for his political rise, but his personal life has also remained under public discussion. After reports about marital trouble between Vijay and Sangeeta surfaced, speculation also began around Vijay’s relationship with his son, Jason Sanjay. Several social media posts and entertainment reports

India and Japan are using a joint framework to connect climate action with investment flows. Instead of treating emission cuts as isolated national efforts, both countries are aligning projects where funding, technology, and verified reductions move together. This approach is built to support long-term decarbonisation while still allowing industrial growth in emerging markets like India.

Kochi, June 30, 2026: The Sabarimala gold theft probe has widened after the Special Investigation Team informed the Kerala High Court that it had collected material against seven persons, including former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prasanth. The SIT report points to alleged criminal breach of trust, forgery and criminal conspiracy in connection with the Dwarapalaka idols and related gold-plating work. Sabarimala Gold Thef

Europe is currently experiencing a severe heatwave driven by a trapped atmospheric system known as an omega block. This Europe omega block heatwave is preventing normal weather movement, locking hot air over large parts of the continent for days. As a result, temperatures are rising sharply, affecting daily life, health systems, and infrastructure across multiple countries. What is driving this extreme heat The main reason behind the heat buildup is a stalled jet stream pattern. In this pattern, high pressure sits over Europe in a shape that blocks cooler air from entering. Instead of changing weather systems, the same hot air remains in place and continues to intensify under strong summer sunlight. This creates repeated days of extreme heat rather than short-term spikes. Nights also remain warm, giving the human body little time to recover from daytime heat exposure. Countries facing the strongest impact The heatwave is affecting a wide region including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Poland, Czechia, Hungary, and parts of the Balkans. Several areas in Central and Eastern Europe have recorded temperatures above 40°C, with some locations reaching historic highs. The heat is spreading gradually eastward as the trapped system shifts across the continent. Why some regions are more exposed Southern Europe is directly exposed to hot air moving from North Africa and the Mediterranean. Countries such as Spain, Italy, and France experience intense surface heating due to prolonged sunlight and dry conditions. In Central and Eastern Europe, countries like Germany, Poland, Czechia, and Hungary face heat accumulation over landlocked regions, where hot air remains trapped for longer periods. Impact on health and daily life Health systems are under growing pressure as heat-related illnesses increase. Conditions such as dehydration, heatstroke, and cardiovascular stress are rising, particularly among older adults, outdoor workers, and people without cooling access. Reports from multiple regions indicate excess deaths above normal levels during the heatwave period, highlighting the seriousness of prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. Transport systems are also affected. Railway lines expand under heat, causing delays, while road surfaces soften and become unstable. Energy demand increases as cooling systems are used more widely, putting pressure on national grids. Agriculture is also suffering due to dry soil conditions, reduced crop yields, and falling river levels. In some regions, water availability is becoming a growing concern for both farming and urban supply. Public response and risk outlook Authorities across Europe are advising people to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak heat hours, and check on vulnerable individuals. Hospitals remain alert as heat-related admissions continue to rise. Experts warn that the full impact of this heatwave may take time to appear, as excess mortality data is still being compiled. The situation highlights how extreme weather patterns are becoming more persistent and widespread, with the omega block heatwave showing how atmospheric conditions can directly affect health, infrastructure, and daily life across Europe.

Meta is facing renewed criticism after conservation groups raised concerns that illegal wildlife trade continues to appear across its platforms despite company rules against such activity. The report claims Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are being used by traffickers and sellers to promote endangered animals, wild meat and banned wildlife products to online buyers. The findings have put fresh attention on how social media platforms handl

LEAKEY, Texas — Missing giraffe Gracie was found safe and apparently healthy on Friday, June 26, 2026, nearly two weeks after disappearing from a private ranch in the Texas Hill Country. She had not yet been captured or returned to the property. Gracie was spotted shortly before 7 a.m. CDT on private ranchland about 4 miles from Cedar Hollow Ranch, near Leakey, approximately 100 miles west of San Antonio. Owner Vic

A strong and slow-moving atmospheric pattern is keeping large parts of Europe locked under unusually hot and dry conditions. The system is preventing cooler Atlantic air from entering the region, allowing heat to build up day after day. As a result, temperatures are climbing far above seasonal averages across Western and Central Europe, with multiple countries reporting prolonged heat stress rather than short heat spikes.

Jaipur Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II carried thousands of litres of Ganga water to London in 1902, turning a royal journey to King Edward VII’s coronation into an extraordinary expression of religious faith. The water travelled in enormous silver vessels known as Gangajalis, which are now preserved at Jaipur’s City Palace and remain among its most recognizable historical objects.

Mount Carmel’s Franklinton ER closure is scheduled for Aug. 22, followed by the opening of a walk-in primary and preventive care hub in Columbus on Aug. 24. The health system said the shift is intended to improve access to routine care while reducing avoidable emergency department visits. What the Franklinton ER closure means for patients The emergency room at the former Mount Carmel West campus will stop operating on Aug. 22. The nearest emergency dep

France is experiencing an intense heat surge that has pushed temperatures across several regions to dangerous levels, placing large parts of the country under the highest weather alert category. Authorities have warned that the current conditions are among the most severe in recent years, with urban areas like Paris feeling the strongest impact due to dense infrastructure and limited night-time cooling. Paris tourism slows as conditions become unsafe Tourist activity in Paris has taken a noticeable hit as extreme heat makes outdoor movement difficult during peak hours. Visitors are shortening itineraries, avoiding long walking routes, and shifting to indoor attractions wherever possible. Public spaces remain crowded, but activity is largely concentrated in shaded areas and air-conditioned venues as people try to avoid prolonged exposure. Major landmarks adjust operations due to heat stress Several iconic sites have been forced to modify schedules in response to the heat conditions. The Eiffel Tower has adjusted operating hours, closing earlier than usual to reduce visitor risk during peak temperatures. The Louvre Museum has also shifted to reduced visiting hours, prioritizing safety for both staff and tourists. Other regional attractions have issued advisories urging travelers to delay or reschedule visits until conditions improve. Weather pattern driving the extreme temperatures Meteorologists attribute the heat surge to a stalled atmospheric pattern that is trapping warm air over Western Europe. This system is reinforced by hot air moving in from North Africa, intensifying the temperature spike across France. Combined with stagnant wind conditions, the heat is persisting longer than typical summer peaks, limiting overnight cooling and increasing strain on infrastructure. Climate trend raising frequency of extreme heat events Experts note that Europe is warming faster than many other regions globally, contributing to more frequent and intense heat episodes. France is increasingly experiencing prolonged summer heat events that disrupt transport, tourism, and daily routines. The current situation highlights how rising baseline temperatures are turning what were once rare extremes into recurring seasonal challenges.

Texas leaders praised New World screwworm funding awards intended to support projects combating the pest and protecting the state’s livestock industry. The announcement presented the awards as part of efforts to prevent the New World screwworm threat from harming animals and livestock operations in Texas. The supplied information did not specify the funding amount, grant recipients, project locations or implementation timeline. New World Screwwo