A 25-year-old US Air Force member, identified as Aaron Bushnell, set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC in protest of the genocide happening in Palestine. Independent Journalist Talia Jane obtained and shared footage of the incident, which shows Bushnell in military uniform before he sets himself on fire and is later rushed to the hospital where he succumbs to his injuries. The family of Bushnell gave permission for the blurred video to be shared on social media.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, a millennia-old religious festival, has commenced in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with an estimated 40 crore people expected to attend. Government estimates predict that the event may generate up to Rs 2 lakh crore in economic growth for the state, which has allocated a budget of Rs 7,000 crore for the 45-day festival. With an average expenditure of Rs 5,000 per person, the economic impact could potentially reach Rs 4 lakh crore and boost both nominal and real GDP by over 1%. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has lauded the previous version of the festival in 2019, stating it contributed Rs 1.2 lakh crore to the state's economy.
The world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering, the Mahakumbh Mela, began on Monday in the holy city of Prayagraj, India. More than 40 lakh people from different backgrounds came together to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed the significance of this ancient tradition in a modern world and welcomed devotees and saints to the event.
The eagerly awaited Maha Kumbh festival has begun in Prayagraj, India, with the auspicious Paush Purnima being celebrated on Monday. Millions of devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam - where the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers converge - to seek spiritual blessings and cleanse their sins. The 45-day long event is estimated to attract a record-breaking 40 crore people from all over the world, making it the largest ever gathering of its kind. Tight security measures are being implemented to ensure the peaceful conduct of rituals and the safety of devotees.
Former child star Rory Callum Sykes, who rose to fame on a British TV series and later became a motivational speaker on living with disabilities, tragically lost his life in the recent Los Angeles wildfires. His mother, Shelly Sykes, announced the devastating news on social media, revealing that her 32-year-old son died due to carbon monoxide despite her efforts to save him. The Australian government has expressed their condolences and is working with Los Angeles authorities to confirm Rory's death and provide consular assistance to his family.
On January 10, the world celebrates World Hindi Day to recognize the cultural and linguistic unity promoted by the Hindi language. This language, spoken by a majority of India's population, holds significance beyond the country's borders as it is also a minority language in several countries. In addition to its cultural importance, Hindi is also a key language for business, diplomacy, and education, and it is increasingly being used in new technologies. With the theme of 'A Global Voice of Unity and Cultural Pride', World Hindi Day 2025 celebrates the expanding presence and influence of Hindi worldwide.
As the third most spoken language in the world, Hindi is celebrated on the international stage every year on January 10th as World Hindi Day. This day recognizes not only Hindi's importance in India, but also its widespread use and cultural significance around the world. From wishes to images, here are some ways to celebrate and promote the language on this special occasion.
As devastating wildfires engulf Los Angeles County, a comparison between the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) and Delhi's brings to light a troubling reality for the Indian capital. Despite half of LA being on fire, the city's AQI remains significantly better than Delhi's which continues to struggle with poor air quality on a daily basis. Amidst discussions on the cause, it is clear that the wind direction and velocity play a crucial role in clearing LA's air despite the natural disaster.
The Kremlin has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump after his inauguration on January 20. This comes after Trump's recent comments about understanding Russia's concerns regarding Ukraine joining NATO. Trump also criticized President Joe Biden's handling of negotiations, saying it could lead to escalation of the ongoing conflict. Trump had previously mentioned plans to speak with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address the situation.
At least six people were killed and 40 others injured in a tragic stampede at the famous Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati, India. The incident happened during the rush for tickets to the annual Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, which is known to attract a massive crowd every year. The injured are receiving treatment and leaders, including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have expressed their condolences and are closely monitoring the situation.
While addressing a press conference in Paris, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected President Trump's idea of seizing Greenland as "not a good one" and "not going to happen." He reiterated the Biden administration's belief in the strength of alliances, stating that working closely with allies is more effective than alienating them. France's Foreign Minister also downplayed the possibility of US forces being deployed against Denmark, but cautioned about a return to the "law of the strongest" in the international arena. Trump's nominee for national security adviser, Congressman Mike Waltz, has emphasized the importance of securing Greenland for US national security, but both Denmark and Greenland have consistently rejected any notion of the island being for sale.