New Delhi is preparing a carefully planned cultural programme for the spouses and family members accompanying BRICS leaders, combining India’s political heritage, traditional crafts, modern art and hospitality. The BRICS Delhi cultural tour will run alongside summit-related engagements as India hosts the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026. The programme is expected to take visiting family members beyond the

Onam 2026 date guide explains the Date, Kerala celebrations, traditional Customs, famous Sadya and cultural Meaning of one of India's most colourful harvest festivals. Onam brings Malayali families together through Pookalam decorations, traditional attire, festive meals, music, dance and celebrations honouring King Mahabali. Date The main day of Onam in 2026 is Thiruvonam, which falls on Wednes

The RBI repo rate impact on home loan EMIs remains limited after the rate was held at 5.25%. The policy pause supports stable borrowing costs, but the RBI policy impact on homebuyers depends on lenders, loan benchmarks and reset dates. The Reserve Bank of India has kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in its August 2026 monetary policy review, extending the pause for a fourth consecutive meeting. The six-member Monetary Polic

Nearly half of NRI property owners plan to sell in India, according to a 2026 wealth report. The shift is being driven by portfolio diversification, overseas financial needs, tax planning and the reassessment of underused residential assets across major Indian states. Nearly half of non-resident Indians who own property in India are preparing to sell, according to the Remittor Annual NRI Wealth Report 2026. The findings po

Researchers completed testing of a 582-tonne superconducting magnet designed to support the development of future fusion reactors. China Artificial Sun Programme Reaches Major Magnet Milestone China has completed the development and testing of a massive superconducting magnet intended to advance its nuclear fusion research programme, popularly described as the country’s artificial Sun project. Developed by the Institute of Plas

A Chinese reusable spacecraft linked to the Shenlong program has triggered fresh global scrutiny after tracking data showed a separate object appearing in close proximity during its latest orbital phase. The event, observed in June 2026, has added new uncertainty around the nature of China’s secretive spaceplane operations. Tracking data reveals unexpected separation in orbit Independent space surveillance firm LeoLabs reported detection of a new object near the Shenlong spacecraft during routine orbital monitoring. The timing and proximity suggested a possible release or separation event from the main vehicle. The object was later incorporated into the US Space Force satellite catalog, allowing continued tracking through global space surveillance networks. What the Shenlong spaceplane is designed for Shenlong spaceplane is China’s experimental reusable orbital vehicle designed to launch via rocket and return to Earth like a conventional aircraft. The system is believed to support long-duration missions involving orbital testing, reconnaissance experiments, and reusable spacecraft technologies. It is often compared to the US X-37B program due to its similar operational profile and secrecy surrounding mission objectives. Launch background and mission profile The spacecraft associated with this mission was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 2F rocket. Since launch, Chinese authorities have released minimal operational details, leaving external analysts to rely heavily on radar tracking, orbital behavior, and third-party observations to interpret mission activity. Why the object detection raised questions The appearance of a separate object in close orbital proximity has led analysts to consider several possibilities, including experimental deployment, satellite servicing tests, or controlled separation of hardware. While none of these scenarios have been confirmed, the pattern aligns with rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), a capability used for inspecting or interacting with objects in space. Strategic implications and global monitoring The development is being closely monitored because RPO technology has dual-use applications. It can support peaceful maintenance missions but also enable advanced surveillance or counter-space capabilities. As a result, both US and international tracking systems continue to observe Shenlong missions for behavioral patterns that may indicate evolving strategic capabilities. Ongoing uncertainty around mission details Despite growing external analysis, no official clarification has been issued regarding the nature of the detected object. This lack of transparency keeps the mission under active observation, with each new orbital event contributing to broader assessments of China’s reusable spacecraft program and its long-term strategic direction.

Chicago Zillow listings were restored after a federal court order required Midwest Real Estate Data, known as MRED, to return listing access to the real estate platform. The order, issued on Friday, May 22, 2026, temporarily restored Chicago-area home listing data on Zillow after thousands of listings were removed during a legal dispute over property data, private listings and platform display rules. MRED-Zillow Dispute Centers on Private Listings

Santa Clara County primary races are drawing major campaign spending ahead of the Tuesday, June 2, 2026 primary election, with fundraising gaps emerging in the District 1 supervisor race and the county prosecutor contest. Campaign finance filings show District 1 Supervisor Sylvia Arenas and District Attorney Jeff Rosen holding clear fundraising advantages over their challengers, according to reporting by San José Spotlight and public campaign finance records availa

The Brooklyn Bridge history reflects a powerful story of vision, sacrifice, and engineering brilliance that transformed New York City forever. Built to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River, the bridge replaced unreliable ferries and became a permanent solution for a growing city. Even today, it stands as one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, symbolizing innovation and resilience. In the late 19th century, the East River served both as a crucial route and a major obstacle. Ferries were the only option for crossing, but they were slow and often disrupted by weather. The need for a stable and reliable connection pushed engineers to imagine something bold and permanent. This vision was led by John Augustus Roebling, a skilled engineer who designed a suspension bridge unlike anything seen before. However, tragedy struck early in the project. Roebling suffered a fatal injury in 1869, and the responsibility passed to his son, Washington Roebling. Determined to complete the project, he introduced innovative construction methods, including the use of pressurized caissons to build the bridge’s foundation. These methods allowed workers to dig deep into the riverbed, but they also exposed them to dangerous conditions. Many workers developed decompression sickness, also known as “the bends,” due to rapid pressure changes. Some lost their lives, and even Washington Roebling became severely ill, leaving him partially paralyzed. Despite this, he continued to lead the project remotely, relying on detailed observations and instructions. At this critical stage, Emily Warren Roebling emerged as a key figure. She learned engineering principles and acted as the communication link between her husband and the construction team. Her role ensured the project moved forward, making her contribution essential to the bridge’s completion. After years of effort and challenges, the Brooklyn Bridge opened on May 24, 1883. Crowds gathered to witness the historic moment, marking a new era of connectivity for the city. The bridge quickly became more than just infrastructure; it represented progress and human determination. Over time, it adapted to changing transportation needs, carrying carriages, trains, vehicles, and countless pedestrians. Its presence influenced art, culture, and daily life in New York City. Today, the Brooklyn Bridge remains a lasting symbol of innovation, resilience, and the power of human ambition.  

Mark Mobius, a pioneer in global investing and a key figure in emerging markets, passed away on April 16, 2026, at the age of 89. Widely regarded for transforming investment strategies in developing economies, Mobius played a crucial role in directing billions of dollars into markets across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Over a caree

A historic mansion in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood has sold in a private, off-market transaction for $56 million, according to public property records. The sale marks the city’s most expensive residential deal since a nearby property set a record in 2024, underscoring continued strength in the luxury housing segment. The property, located at 2898 Vallejo Street, was sold by a revocable trust linked to Daniel Alegre, a technology and media executive. The buyer was

India is expected to remain the central driver of economic growth in South Asia, even as global uncertainties continue to pressure the broader region, according to the latest outlook from the World Bank. The institution has revised India’s growth forecast for the 2026–27 fiscal year upward to 6.6 percent, an increase from its earlier estimate of 6.3 percent, underscoring confidence in the country’s economic resilience. The updated projection comes amid a challenging global environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, shifting trade dynamics, and volatility in energy markets. These factors have weighed on growth expectations across South Asia, where several economies are projected to experience slower expansion in the coming years. Despite these headwinds, India’s performance continues to stand out, supported by strong domestic demand, policy stability, and ongoing structural reforms. For U.S.-based observers and global investors, India’s upgraded outlook signals a relatively stable growth engine within emerging markets in Asia. As economic uncertainty persists worldwide, India’s trajectory offers a degree of predictability that contrasts with the broader regional slowdown. Analysts note that while external risks remain significant, including supply chain disruptions and energy price fluctuations, India’s diversified economy positions it to better absorb global shocks. The World Bank’s revision highlights India’s role as a stabilizing force in South Asia’s economic landscape. While neighboring economies face mounting fiscal and external pressures, India is expected to continue contributing the largest share of regional growth. This dynamic reinforces the country’s importance not only within Asia but also in the context of the global economy, where emerging markets are increasingly influential. Overall, the revised forecast reflects cautious optimism. While challenges persist, India’s economic fundamentals and growth momentum suggest it will remain a key pillar of regional and global economic stability in the years ahead.

The escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are raising serious concerns for global energy markets, with analysts warning that the liquefied natural gas sector could be more severely affected than crude oil if the shipping route remains disrupted. While oil shipments have been partially redirected through alternative pipelines, LNG faces unique challenges due to its dependence on specialized tankers and highly centralized production, particularly in Qatar. Roughly 20 percent o

Paramount Skydance has escalated its long-running pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery by launching a hostile takeover bid valued at $30 per share, moving directly to shareholders after earlier attempts failed to gain traction. The all-cash offer matches the proposal that Warner Bros. Discovery declined last week and places the company’s enterprise value at approximately $108.4 billion. Paramount’s decision to bypass company leadership signals its determination to remain a central contender

Apple is on track to ship more smartphones than Samsung in 2025, marking the first time in fourteen years that the U.S. technology company is expected to lead the global smartphone rankings. The projection comes from Counterpoint Research, which reported that Apple could finalize the year with roughly 243 million iPhone shipments, surpassing Samsung’s estimated 235 million units. This shift is significant in a highly competitive smartphone market where leadership has historically alternated

New Jersey continues to stand out in the national housing market, once again placing several of its ZIP codes among the most expensive in the United States. According to recent real estate data, six New Jersey communities ranked within the top 100 priciest ZIP codes nationwide, reflecting the state’s sustained appeal among high-income residents and luxury homebuyers. At the forefront is Alpine in Bergen County, whose ZIP code 07620 tied for 13th place with the renowned Beverly Hil

Eight civilians were killed on Wednesday after Pakistan’s security forces opened fire during the third consecutive day of violent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The unrest, led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), has seen widespread demonstrations across Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Mirpur, where locals accuse Islamabad of denying them fundamental rights for decades. According to local sources,

Grinding your own masalas (spice blends) at home is one of the best ways to ensure fresh, aromatic flavors in your cooking. The rich, authentic taste of freshly grinding spices adds depth to any dish, making your homemade food far more flavorful than store-bought alternatives. Whether you're making a simple curry, a flavorful biryani, or a delicate spice mix for your favorite dish, grinding masalas at home can elevate your cooking. However, the process re

Career planning is an essential process for students to align their strengths, interests, and skills with future professional goals. The sooner you begin, the better prepared you will be to navigate challenges and make informed decisions about your career. Here are the best career planning strategies that can help students build a clear roadmap for success. 1. Self-Assessment: Know Yourself Before

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key when it comes to meal preparation. For those who crave authentic Indian flavors but don’t have the time or skill to cook traditional dishes from scratch, frozen Indian meals and meal kits are two popular options that offer convenience without compromising on taste. Both have their pros and cons, but choosing the right one depends on your preferences, dietary needs, a