National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides

The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS

Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent

India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh

Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?

How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?

Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition

‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal

Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch

Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine

Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states

Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions

Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy

Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS

'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia

Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside

Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift

New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot

RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress

Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'

IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act

Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott

Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances

Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation

New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know

India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims

Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed

US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance

Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built

Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH

Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school

Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report

Astronomers have discovered a cosmic 'interstellar tunnel', a channel of superheated gas that connects our solar system to distant stars across the Milky Way. Astronomers from the Max Planck Institute used data from the eROSITA X-ray telescope to map a vast region of hot, low-density plasma surrounding our sun known as the Local Hot Bubble (LHB).&nbsp;This peculiar region formed because of a series of cosmic explosions called supernova and is estimated to be about 300 light-years across. The sky is divided into galactic coordinates where ‘latitude’ measures the angle above or below the Milky Way plane. They detected that "the temperature of the LHB exhibits a north-south dichotomy at high latitudes.” Imagine the space as a map; they divided all the regions into small bins or pixels and tried to measure the warm gas, dust cavities, and interstellar structures from each such region.By combining these results with the data from the eROSITA X-ray telescope, they discovered a mysterious corridor of glowing gas stretching outward toward the constellation Centaurus and possibly another pathway extending toward Canis Major. The data hints that this might be a network of channels that runs between star-forming regions and pockets of heated gas.&nbsp;<h2>Previous theories about interstellar tunnels</h2>Ideas about an interstellar network of tunnels are not new. Researchers have previously predicted that the space around our solar system is not empty or a simple vacuum, but could hold a labyrinth of cavities, channels and other hot gas bubbles. But there was never enough data or a proper method of data collection to confirm this. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute argue that the “average thermal pressure in this bubble is lower than expected, indicating that it might be open in some directions”.Scientists now plan to explore if those 'tunnels' really connect the Local Hot Bubble to some nearby Planetary Nursery. But one thing proves that the cosmos around us is more alive and interconnected than we can imagine.

Astronomers have uncovered a stunning 'interstellar tunnel' of hot gas that may link our Solar System to distant star regions. The finding could completely change what we know about our place in the galaxy and how stars are connected across the Milky Way.

Astronomers have discovered a cosmic 'interstellar tunnel', a channel of superheated gas that connects our solar system to distant stars across the Milky Way. Astronomers from the Max Planck Institute used data from the eROSITA X-ray telescope to map a vast region of hot, low-density plasma surrounding our sun known as the Local Hot Bubble (LHB). This peculiar region formed because of a series of cosmic explosions called supernova and is estimated to be about 300 light-years across. The sky is divided into galactic coordinates where ‘latitude’ measures the angle above or below the Milky Way plane. They detected that "the temperature of the LHB exhibits a north-south dichotomy at high latitudes.” Imagine the space as a map; they divided all the regions into small bins or pixels and tried to measure the warm gas, dust cavities, and interstellar structures from each such region. By combining these results with the data from the eROSITA X-ray telescope, they discovered a mysterious corridor of glowing gas stretching outward toward the constellation Centaurus and possibly another pathway extending toward Canis Major. The data hints that this might be a network of channels that runs between star-forming regions and pockets of heated gas. Previous theories about interstellar tunnels Ideas about an interstellar network of tunnels are not new. Researchers have previously predicted that the space around our solar system is not empty or a simple vacuum, but could hold a labyrinth of cavities, channels and other hot gas bubbles. But there was never enough data or a proper method of data collection to confirm this. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute argue that the “average thermal pressure in this bubble is lower than expected, indicating that it might be open in some directions”. Scientists now plan to explore if those 'tunnels' really connect the Local Hot Bubble to some nearby Planetary Nursery. But one thing proves that the cosmos around us is more alive and interconnected than we can imagine.

Astronomers have uncovered a stunning 'interstellar tunnel' of hot gas that may link our Solar System to distant star regions. The finding could completely change what we know about our place in the galaxy and how stars are connected across the Milky Way.

Scientists discover shocking 'interstellar tunnel' linking our solar system to other stars

Vibranium is a fictional metal which was shown in Marvel movies with unique abilities to absorb, store, and release kinetic energy, making it nearly impossible to replicate in the real world. However, some real elements and materials possess traits with similarities to vibranium.

Real-life Vibranium? 5 materials in the real world that are close to Marvel comics' wonder metal

Scientists have witnessed strange flashes and lights on the Moon, or Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLPs), for several years, which vary from bright, short flashes to weak glows and transitory colour changes. The unusual phenomenon of light on the Moon draws the interest of observers across the globe, but its precise causes are unknown even after sighting over 3,000 TLPs.<h3>Why strange flashes on the Moon?</h3>Scientists have suggested several possible causes for these mysterious flashes, including meteoroid impacts that create a burst of light and the release of gases from below the surface of the Moon, which may glow or reflect the sunlight. These intriguing events continue to baffle researchers due to their unpredictability and fleeting nature, according to a report in TOI.&nbsp;Studying these strange lights provides useful insight into the geology of the Moon, its surface activity, and internal processes, helping scientists to better understand the Earth's closest celestial neighbour and the dynamic forces that occasionally illuminate its desolate surface.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLPs) are largely believed to result from meteoroid impacts. Without an atmosphere for protection, the Moon is constantly struck by small space rocks. When these meteoroids collide with their surface at tremendous speeds, they release energy that appears as sudden, visible flashes from Earth.&nbsp;Such brief bursts of light likely account for most of the fleeting TLP reported by astronomers over the centuries. These effects also minutely reshape the surface of the Moon by producing small craters and scattering dust into the thin environment of the Moon.&nbsp;Observing such phenomena enables researchers to figure out the frequency of meteoroid impacts and how it enables to shapes the landscape of the Moon. Scientists have also come up with other hypotheses claiming that trapped gas inside the Moon sometimes comes out through the cracks in its crust.&nbsp;These gases emit light or reflect sunlight when released into space, which causes glowing spots that can be witnessed from Earth. In relation to the impact of meteoroids, emissions of gas can continue or recur over the same areas, perhaps accounting for recurring TLPs.&nbsp;Evidence indicates that gases such as radon and argon may be released in this way, hinting at faint internal activity beneath the Moon’s seemingly inactive surface. Studying these emissions could provide valuable insights into the Moon’s geological and volcanic history.

Studying these strange lights provides useful insight into the geology of the Moon, its surface activity, and internal processes, helping scientists to better understand the Earth's closest celestial neighbour and the dynamic forces.

Scientists have witnessed strange flashes and lights on the Moon, or Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLPs), for several years, which vary from bright, short flashes to weak glows and transitory colour changes. The unusual phenomenon of light on the Moon draws the interest of observers across the globe, but its precise causes are unknown even after sighting over 3,000 TLPs. Why strange flashes on the Moon? Scientists have suggested several possible causes for these mysterious flashes, including meteoroid impacts that create a burst of light and the release of gases from below the surface of the Moon, which may glow or reflect the sunlight. These intriguing events continue to baffle researchers due to their unpredictability and fleeting nature, according to a report in TOI. Studying these strange lights provides useful insight into the geology of the Moon, its surface activity, and internal processes, helping scientists to better understand the Earth's closest celestial neighbour and the dynamic forces that occasionally illuminate its desolate surface. Meanwhile, Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLPs) are largely believed to result from meteoroid impacts. Without an atmosphere for protection, the Moon is constantly struck by small space rocks. When these meteoroids collide with their surface at tremendous speeds, they release energy that appears as sudden, visible flashes from Earth. Such brief bursts of light likely account for most of the fleeting TLP reported by astronomers over the centuries. These effects also minutely reshape the surface of the Moon by producing small craters and scattering dust into the thin environment of the Moon. Observing such phenomena enables researchers to figure out the frequency of meteoroid impacts and how it enables to shapes the landscape of the Moon. Scientists have also come up with other hypotheses claiming that trapped gas inside the Moon sometimes comes out through the cracks in its crust. These gases emit light or reflect sunlight when released into space, which causes glowing spots that can be witnessed from Earth. In relation to the impact of meteoroids, emissions of gas can continue or recur over the same areas, perhaps accounting for recurring TLPs. Evidence indicates that gases such as radon and argon may be released in this way, hinting at faint internal activity beneath the Moon’s seemingly inactive surface. Studying these emissions could provide valuable insights into the Moon’s geological and volcanic history.

Studying these strange lights provides useful insight into the geology of the Moon, its surface activity, and internal processes, helping scientists to better understand the Earth's closest celestial neighbour and the dynamic forces.

Is Moon hiding something beneath its surface? Mysterious flashes from Lunar still puzzle scientists

In a study recently published in the journal Nature Geoscience, scientists have identified ancient rocks deep inside the Earth's crust. They were chemical clues of this proto-Earth, the primordial planet that existed before the formation of the moon. This finding challenges the previous idea that an immense collision remelted and re-invented the Earth's chemical composition.&nbsp;The study found clues in the ancient rocks from Greenland, Canada and Hawaii. The study poses immense potential, giving a window to look at the building blocks of primordial Earth and its neighbouring world.&nbsp;"This is maybe the first direct evidence that we've preserved the proto-Earth materials," &nbsp;said Nicol Nile, an assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences at MIT.&nbsp;Scientists identified a rare chemical fingerprint, in the rock samples collected from Greenland, Canada, and Hawaii. These rocks have a certain kind of potassium imbalance, specifically, the potassium-40 isotope, when compared to most of the material found on Earth today. Potassium naturally occurs in three isotopes- potassium-39, potassium-40 and potassium-41, which are slightly different versions of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Scientists use advanced mass spectrometry and trace the anomaly back to 4.5 million years ago.&nbsp;4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was a giant hot, molten sphere of Lava formed from a swirling cloud of gas and dust. After 100 million years or so, a Mars-size asteroid collided with the Earth in an event so violent that it remelted and remixed the chemical composition of the Earth. The discovery challenges the existing theory of the reinvention of Earth following the great impact and suggests that some parts of the proto-Earth survived.&nbsp;"We see a piece of the very ancient Earth, even before the giant impact," Nie said in the statement. "This is amazing because we would expect this very early signature to be slowly erased through Earth's evolution."The chemical signature of proto-Earth material does not precisely match any known meteorite, necessarily implying that original materials that formed our planet may still be missing from geological collections.&nbsp;

Scientists have discovered the first direct evidence of 4.5-billion-year-old proto-Earth material deep within Earth's mantle, shedding light on our planet's early composition.

In a study recently published in the journal Nature Geoscience, scientists have identified ancient rocks deep inside the Earth's crust. They were chemical clues of this proto-Earth, the primordial planet that existed before the formation of the moon. This finding challenges the previous idea that an immense collision remelted and re-invented the Earth's chemical composition. The study found clues in the ancient rocks from Greenland, Canada and Hawaii. The study poses immense potential, giving a window to look at the building blocks of primordial Earth and its neighbouring world. "This is maybe the first direct evidence that we've preserved the proto-Earth materials," said Nicol Nile, an assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences at MIT. Scientists identified a rare chemical fingerprint, in the rock samples collected from Greenland, Canada, and Hawaii. These rocks have a certain kind of potassium imbalance, specifically, the potassium-40 isotope, when compared to most of the material found on Earth today. Potassium naturally occurs in three isotopes- potassium-39, potassium-40 and potassium-41, which are slightly different versions of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Scientists use advanced mass spectrometry and trace the anomaly back to 4.5 million years ago. 4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was a giant hot, molten sphere of Lava formed from a swirling cloud of gas and dust. After 100 million years or so, a Mars-size asteroid collided with the Earth in an event so violent that it remelted and remixed the chemical composition of the Earth. The discovery challenges the existing theory of the reinvention of Earth following the great impact and suggests that some parts of the proto-Earth survived. "We see a piece of the very ancient Earth, even before the giant impact," Nie said in the statement. "This is amazing because we would expect this very early signature to be slowly erased through Earth's evolution." The chemical signature of proto-Earth material does not precisely match any known meteorite, necessarily implying that original materials that formed our planet may still be missing from geological collections.

Scientists have discovered the first direct evidence of 4.5-billion-year-old proto-Earth material deep within Earth's mantle, shedding light on our planet's early composition.

Scientists discover remnants of 4.5 billion-year-old proto-earth in the depths of earth

NASA has confirmed this week that Earth has a temporary “second moon”. It is a small asteroid captured in orbit around the planet, and it travels almost in synch with the Earth. It was discovered by the University of Hawaii this week. Astronomers suggest that it has probably been tagging along for around 60 years and is likely to continue along with the Earth until 2083. The celestial body is known as a ‘quasi-moon’ and is 18 to 36 meters wide and is approximately the width of a building.&nbsp;The celestial body is identified as 2025 PN7. But unlike the moon, which is bound by gravity to the Earth, the 2025 PN7 is not bound to the Earth. At its closest, it will come as close as 4 million km distance of the Earth, roughly 10 times the distance to the moon; at its most distant, it can move away to 17 million km from the Earth. This to and fro movement is because of the interaction of the gravity of the Sun, the Earth. Such mini-moons are naturally captured objects that orbit the planet for a short period before either falling back into space or entering Earth’s atmosphere.The celestial body was first observed earlier in the year, during a routine telescope survey. It came across at first as an illegible dot, but soon confirmed to be a companion of the earth. Till now, the Earth has found eight quasi-moons in total. Each of these is important in revealing information about near-earth gravity and how asteroids interact with it. This sparks scientific curiosity and highlights the dynamic nature of objects in near-Earth space.Earth's main moon remains the dominant natural satellite, but these temporary companions. Our moon is brighter, bigger and a constant of the Earth. But 2025 PN7 is a silent traveller that has temporarily joined the Earth in its journey.&nbsp;

Earth has a temporary new companion, NASA confirms asteroid 2024 PT5 has entered orbit, acting as a mini-moon. Not permanent, but fascinating.

NASA has confirmed this week that Earth has a temporary “second moon”. It is a small asteroid captured in orbit around the planet, and it travels almost in synch with the Earth. It was discovered by the University of Hawaii this week. Astronomers suggest that it has probably been tagging along for around 60 years and is likely to continue along with the Earth until 2083. The celestial body is known as a ‘quasi-moon’ and is 18 to 36 meters wide and is approximately the width of a building. The celestial body is identified as 2025 PN7. But unlike the moon, which is bound by gravity to the Earth, the 2025 PN7 is not bound to the Earth. At its closest, it will come as close as 4 million km distance of the Earth, roughly 10 times the distance to the moon; at its most distant, it can move away to 17 million km from the Earth. This to and fro movement is because of the interaction of the gravity of the Sun, the Earth. Such mini-moons are naturally captured objects that orbit the planet for a short period before either falling back into space or entering Earth’s atmosphere. The celestial body was first observed earlier in the year, during a routine telescope survey. It came across at first as an illegible dot, but soon confirmed to be a companion of the earth. Till now, the Earth has found eight quasi-moons in total. Each of these is important in revealing information about near-earth gravity and how asteroids interact with it. This sparks scientific curiosity and highlights the dynamic nature of objects in near-Earth space. Earth's main moon remains the dominant natural satellite, but these temporary companions. Our moon is brighter, bigger and a constant of the Earth. But 2025 PN7 is a silent traveller that has temporarily joined the Earth in its journey.

Earth has a temporary new companion, NASA confirms asteroid 2025  PN7 has entered orbit, acting as a mini-moon. Not permanent, but fascinating.

Earth has two moons? NASA confirms asteroid becomes earth's second moon until 2083

SkyWest Flight 6469, en route to Los Angeles, was forced to turn back to Omaha on Monday (October 20) after a communication failure between the cockpit and cabin crew led to confusion. The incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff, left pilots believing that a hijacking attempt was underway. The plane, an Embraer ERJ 175, had just taken off from Omaha’s Eppley Airfield when the crew in the cabin found themselves unable to contact the pilots via the aircraft's interphone system. In a panic, the cabin crew began banging on the cockpit door in an attempt to get the pilots’ attention. Hearing the unusual banging and unable to communicate with the crew, the pilots assumed someone was attempting to breach the cockpit, triggering a hijacking alert. Without further information, they declared an emergency and turned the flight around. Passengers aboard reported feeling a sharp, unexpected U-turn during the early stages of the flight.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zohran-mamdani-reveals-real-reason-why-he-is-critical-of-indian-pm-modi-bjp-1761118768748">'...room for certain kinds of Indians': Zohran Mamdani reveals REAL reason why he is critical of Indian PM Modi</a><h2>Watch the video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">An American Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles made an emergency landing in Nebraska after the pilots believed someone was trying to break into the cockpit, authorities and the airline reported. They later clarified that it was a false alarm caused by a technical problem in… <a href="https://t.co/Yg9XqbXmvP">pic.twitter.com/Yg9XqbXmvP</a>&mdash; FL360aero (@fl360aero) <a href="https://twitter.com/fl360aero/status/1980742803128021317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The aircraft, which was only 40 miles into its journey, made an emergency return to Omaha, where police and emergency responders were on hand when the plane landed. The captain later addressed passengers, explaining that the return was due to uncertainty about the situation on board. He apologised for the confusion, assuring them the decision was made out of caution.&nbsp;The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed after the incident that a malfunction in the interphone system had caused the breakdown in communication. No hijacking attempt had taken place, and the situation was quickly resolved. ESPN writer Brian Windhorst, a passenger on the flight, described the incident as unsettling, noting the abruptness of the turn and the absence of announcements in the aircraft.

SkyWest flight 6469 returns to Omaha after cockpit communication failure sparks hijacking fears

SkyWest Flight 6469, en route to Los Angeles, was forced to turn back to Omaha on Monday (October 20) after a communication failure between the cockpit and cabin crew led to confusion. The incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff, left pilots believing that a hijacking attempt was underway. The plane, an Embraer ERJ 175, had just taken off from Omaha’s Eppley Airfield when the crew in the cabin found themselves unable to contact the pilots via the aircraft's interphone system. In a panic, the cabin crew began banging on the cockpit door in an attempt to get the pilots’ attention. Hearing the unusual banging and unable to communicate with the crew, the pilots assumed someone was attempting to breach the cockpit, triggering a hijacking alert. Without further information, they declared an emergency and turned the flight around. Passengers aboard reported feeling a sharp, unexpected U-turn during the early stages of the flight. Also Read: '...room for certain kinds of Indians': Zohran Mamdani reveals REAL reason why he is critical of Indian PM Modi Watch the video here

A communication glitch on SkyWest Flight 6469 led pilots to fear a hijacking. The plane turned back to Omaha after a brief 40-mile flight

For the first time, mosquitoes have been spotted in Iceland, a country previously known for its mosquito-free status. The discovery came after an unusually warm spring, which saw temperatures break several records. Insect enthusiast Bjorn Hjaltason made the find during an observation session, where he was using wine-soaked ropes to attract moths. Over the course of several nights, he encountered two female mosquitoes and one male, which were later confirmed to be Culiseta annulata—a species capable of surviving colder winters.&nbsp;Until now, Iceland, along with Antarctica, had been one of the few places on Earth without mosquitoes, thanks to its cold climate and lack of stagnant water where the insects typically breed. However, recent temperature spikes, including the hottest day ever recorded in May, have raised concerns about the impact of climate change on the delicate ecosystems of the island.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-photographers-capture-once-in-a-lifetime-rare-red-lightning-over-new-zealand-s-skies-1761106853609">WATCH | Photographers capture 'once-in-a-lifetime' rare red lightning over New Zealand's skies</a>&nbsp;Hjaltason shared the discovery on social media, describing his surprise at finding "a strange fly on a red wine ribbon" and later speculating that the mosquitoes may have arrived via shipping containers from the nearby Grundartangi industrial area. The insects were sent to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for identification, where entomologist Matthias Alfredsson confirmed they were Culiseta annulata.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/eerie-glow-at-the-centre-of-milky-way-could-reveal-a-cosmic-giant-never-seen-before-1760700098843">Eerie glow at the centre of Milky Way could reveal a cosmic giant never seen before</a>&nbsp;While it's still unclear how the mosquitoes made their way to Iceland, scientists will continue to monitor the situation, particularly as warmer temperatures could become more frequent in the coming years. The shift in climate could significantly affect local wildlife, which has long been adapted to colder conditions. Hjaltason's discovery marks a possible turning point for Iceland, with further investigation needed to determine whether these mosquitoes have become permanently established on the island.

For the first time, mosquitoes are found in THIS country following record heat

For the first time, mosquitoes have been spotted in Iceland, a country previously known for its mosquito-free status. The discovery came after an unusually warm spring, which saw temperatures break several records. Insect enthusiast Bjorn Hjaltason made the find during an observation session, where he was using wine-soaked ropes to attract moths. Over the course of several nights, he encountered two female mosquitoes and one male, which were later confirmed to be Culiseta annulata—a species capable of surviving colder winters. Until now, Iceland, along with Antarctica, had been one of the few places on Earth without mosquitoes, thanks to its cold climate and lack of stagnant water where the insects typically breed. However, recent temperature spikes, including the hottest day ever recorded in May, have raised concerns about the impact of climate change on the delicate ecosystems of the island. Also Read: WATCH | Photographers capture 'once-in-a-lifetime' rare red lightning over New Zealand's skies Hjaltason shared the discovery on social media, describing his surprise at finding "a strange fly on a red wine ribbon" and later speculating that the mosquitoes may have arrived via shipping containers from the nearby Grundartangi industrial area. The insects were sent to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for identification, where entomologist Matthias Alfredsson confirmed they were Culiseta annulata. Also Read: Eerie glow at the centre of Milky Way could reveal a cosmic giant never seen before While it's still unclear how the mosquitoes made their way to Iceland, scientists will continue to monitor the situation, particularly as warmer temperatures could become more frequent in the coming years. The shift in climate could significantly affect local wildlife, which has long been adapted to colder conditions. Hjaltason's discovery marks a possible turning point for Iceland, with further investigation needed to determine whether these mosquitoes have become permanently established on the island.

For the first time, mosquitoes have appeared in Iceland, once known for being mosquito-free, after experiencing a record-breaking heatwave this spring

A man crashed his car into a security gate near the White House on Tuesday night (October 21), leading to his immediate arrest by Secret Service officers. The incident occurred at approximately 10:37 pm at a checkpoint near one of the White House entrances. The Secret Service have arrested the driver, who was later identified after a search of his vehicle, which authorities declared safe. Details about the suspect, including his identity and any potential motives, have not been disclosed. The incident has gained attention on social media, with videos showing Secret Service officers inspecting the damaged car, taking measurements, and documenting the scene.&nbsp;Despite the crash, no lockdown was issued for the White House. The road leading to the gate remains closed while the vehicle is being removed. Reports indicate that President Donald Trump was in the White House during the event. The Secret Service is continuing its investigation into the incident. At the same time, the White House is undergoing renovations, with the East Wing being demolished for a new ballroom.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-immigrant-protests-erupt-in-dublin-demonstrators-clash-with-cops-burn-vehicle-here-s-why-1761113551906">Anti-immigrant protests erupt in Dublin; demonstrators clash with cops, burn vehicle — Here's why?</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">BREAKING NEWS: car at White House appears to have either stopped at or struck the barricades and several blocks around the complex now shut down as Secret Service investigates. <a href="https://t.co/unJ14nj4G5">pic.twitter.com/unJ14nj4G5</a>&mdash; Scott Thuman (@ScottThuman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottThuman/status/1980854262742609973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Past incidents</h2>Incidents involving vehicles crashing into White House security gates have happened before. In both January and May of 2024, such events raised security concerns but were ultimately ruled non-threatening by authorities. In January 2024, a motorist drove into an outer gate near the White House and was detained by law enforcement. The Secret Service confirmed there was no danger posed to the residence or the surrounding area, and the then-President Joe Biden was not in the White House during the occurrence. In a separate incident in May, a man lost his life after ramming a vehicle into a security barrier close to the White House. According to the Secret Service, the event did not present any threat to public safety, according to a report in New York Times.

WATCH | Man drives car into White House security barrier; arrested

A man crashed his car into a security gate near the White House on Tuesday night (October 21), leading to his immediate arrest by Secret Service officers. The incident occurred at approximately 10:37 pm at a checkpoint near one of the White House entrances. The Secret Service have arrested the driver, who was later identified after a search of his vehicle, which authorities declared safe. Details about the suspect, including his identity and any potential motives, have not been disclosed. The incident has gained attention on social media, with videos showing Secret Service officers inspecting the damaged car, taking measurements, and documenting the scene. Despite the crash, no lockdown was issued for the White House. The road leading to the gate remains closed while the vehicle is being removed. Reports indicate that President Donald Trump was in the White House during the event. The Secret Service is continuing its investigation into the incident. At the same time, the White House is undergoing renovations, with the East Wing being demolished for a new ballroom. Also Read: Anti-immigrant protests erupt in Dublin; demonstrators clash with cops, burn vehicle — Here's why?

A man crashed his car into a White House security gate on Tuesday night, was arrested, and his vehicle deemed safe. Investigations are ongoing with no lockdown issued

A rare phenomenon known as ‘red sprites’, a type of upper-atmosphere lightning, was photographed by three photographers in New Zealand, capturing one of nature's most elusive displays. Tom Rae from New Zealand, alongside Spanish photographers Dan Zafra and Jose Cantabrana, had originally ventured to the Omarama Clay Cliffs on October 11 to photograph the Milky Way. Little did they know, the night would become unforgettable. While expecting clear skies to capture their intended shots, the group was unexpectedly treated to an extraordinary light show. Cantabrana, noticing a storm building on the horizon, suggested the possibility of red sprites. Rae recalled how, as Cantabrana reviewed his camera files, they discovered that a red sprite had indeed been captured. The moment was met with surprise and excitement, with the photographers reacting in awe.<h2>Watch the stunning picture here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A perfect coincidence’: rare red lightning captured in New Zealand skies ...EXXELENT BAUTIFUL SKY.. ...THE UNIVERSE IS WONDERFUL... Photographers Tom Rae, Dan Zafra and José Cantabrana capture extremely unusual phenomenon – also known as red sprites THE GUARDIAN Wed 22 Oct… <a href="https://t.co/FnQWS652QT">pic.twitter.com/FnQWS652QT</a>&mdash; www.Jonny Clock1977.us (@JonnyClock1977) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonnyClock1977/status/1980854719573586062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Red sprites are a rare type of electrical discharge that occurs high above thunderstorms. Unlike typical lightning, which strikes downward, these luminous red bursts shoot upwards toward the ionosphere, forming striking, jellyfish-like shapes. First photographed by a University of Minnesota team in 1989, these flashes are so brief—lasting only a fraction of a second—that they are seldom visible to the naked eye. However, Rae was in the perfect spot at the right moment and saw one as it lit up the sky.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/life-on-mars-study-finds-traces-of-life-may-still-lie-beneath-the-planet-s-frozen-surface-1761038308995">Life on Mars? Study finds traces of life may still lie beneath the planet's frozen surface</a>&nbsp;For Rae, capturing this phenomenon was a surreal experience. As an award-winning photographer specialising in nightscapes, he described the brief yet intense red flash as ‘ethereal’, a fleeting moment of beauty that felt almost unreal. He emphasised that capturing such events requires not only technical skill but also an understanding of the science behind them.&nbsp;&nbsp;Zafra, who had also never witnessed such an event, called it one of the most unforgettable nights of his life. "I could see the Milky Way stretching across the horizon while these massive red tendrils of light danced in the sky above a distant storm," he was quoted as saying to The Guardian. According to Zafra, no other image has captured both the Milky Way and red sprites in a single shot. The trio knew they had captured something rare and exceptional—a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event.

WATCH | Photographers capture 'once-in-a-lifetime' rare red lightning over New Zealand's skies

A rare phenomenon known as ‘red sprites’, a type of upper-atmosphere lightning, was photographed by three photographers in New Zealand, capturing one of nature's most elusive displays. Tom Rae from New Zealand, alongside Spanish photographers Dan Zafra and Jose Cantabrana, had originally ventured to the Omarama Clay Cliffs on October 11 to photograph the Milky Way. Little did they know, the night would become unforgettable. While expecting clear skies to capture their intended shots, the group was unexpectedly treated to an extraordinary light show. Cantabrana, noticing a storm building on the horizon, suggested the possibility of red sprites. Rae recalled how, as Cantabrana reviewed his camera files, they discovered that a red sprite had indeed been captured. The moment was met with surprise and excitement, with the photographers reacting in awe. Watch the stunning picture here

Three photographers in New Zealand capture rare red sprites, a fleeting lightning phenomenon, while shooting the Milky Way, creating a stunning cosmic moment

Construction has started on the White House's new $250 million ballroom, a lavish 90,000 square-foot venue that will replace portions of the East Wing. While the project is officially being funded by private donors, President Trump has said he will personally cover a significant part of the cost, with some donors reportedly willing to contribute up to $20 million each. Legal experts are raising alarms over the potential ethical implications of such funding, with critics fearing it could open the door for donors to gain special access to the administration.&nbsp;&nbsp;Richard Painter, who served as the Bush White House's chief ethics lawyer, called the project an ‘ethics nightmare’, suggesting it could lead to undue influence from corporations seeking government favours. Among those attending a recent White House donor dinner were executives from major companies such as Blackstone, OpenAI, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, as well as prominent figures like the Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United. Trump commented that some attendees had suggested donations of up to $25 million, which he said he would gladly accept.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-we-ll-see-what-happens-trump-reveals-real-reason-why-he-cancelled-budapest-meeting-with-putin-1761095447909">'We’ll see what happens...': Trump reveals REAL reason why he cancelled Budapest meeting with Putin</a>&nbsp;Although the full list of donors has yet to be disclosed, one contributor has been revealed: YouTube, which is contributing $22 million as part of a settlement agreement regarding Trump's suspended account following the January 6th Capitol attack. The donations are being channeled through the Trust for the National Mall, a non-profit organization that collaborates with the National Park Service to fund various White House and national mall projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;Trump and his administration argue that the ballroom will benefit future administrations and save taxpayer money, as it replaces the temporary tents often used for large-scale events. However, critics worry that the new venue could facilitate political fundraising in ways that previous, smaller facilities did not. Despite the controversy, proving any ethical violations is likely to be difficult.

Who’s contributing to Trump's $250M White House ballroom, and why?

Construction has started on the White House's new $250 million ballroom, a lavish 90,000 square-foot venue that will replace portions of the East Wing. While the project is officially being funded by private donors, President Trump has said he will personally cover a significant part of the cost, with some donors reportedly willing to contribute up to $20 million each. Legal experts are raising alarms over the potential ethical implications of such funding, with critics fearing it could open the door for donors to gain special access to the administration. Richard Painter, who served as the Bush White House's chief ethics lawyer, called the project an ‘ethics nightmare’, suggesting it could lead to undue influence from corporations seeking government favours. Among those attending a recent White House donor dinner were executives from major companies such as Blackstone, OpenAI, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, as well as prominent figures like the Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United. Trump commented that some attendees had suggested donations of up to $25 million, which he said he would gladly accept. Also Read: 'We’ll see what happens...': Trump reveals REAL reason why he cancelled Budapest meeting with Putin Although the full list of donors has yet to be disclosed, one contributor has been revealed: YouTube, which is contributing $22 million as part of a settlement agreement regarding Trump's suspended account following the January 6th Capitol attack. The donations are being channeled through the Trust for the National Mall, a non-profit organization that collaborates with the National Park Service to fund various White House and national mall projects. Trump and his administration argue that the ballroom will benefit future administrations and save taxpayer money, as it replaces the temporary tents often used for large-scale events. However, critics worry that the new venue could facilitate political fundraising in ways that previous, smaller facilities did not. Despite the controversy, proving any ethical violations is likely to be difficult.

The $250M ballroom project at the White House, funded by wealthy donors and corporations, raises concerns of potential ethics violations and ‘pay-to-play’ schemes

After a clip from the wedding of an Iranian cleric's daughter went viral, the internet threw tons of questions at the regime of the Islamic Republic. The clip was from the wedding ceremony of Iran's former security chief Ali Shamkhani. The clip sparked outrage because women in the function, including the bride, were seen wearing revealing dresses. This holds utmost significance as a young woman, Mhasa Amini, was tortured to death in the country for not wearing her hijab "properly".&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/louvre-burglary-sparks-outrage-critics-blame-diversity-hires-for-the-theft-of-the-decade-1761034277502">Louvre heist sparks outrage, 'diversity hires' blames for 'theft of the decade'</a>&nbsp;After receiving the utmost backlash, the close aide of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, defends himself on the grounds of privacy. He also hinted that the video leakage from a private ceremony was a "revenge" from his enemies.&nbsp;In his first reaction to the leaked video, Shamkhani told state media, “As I said earlier: Hey you bastards, I’m still alive,” referencing a quote from Papillon (1973), Iran International reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-clarifies-100-000-h-1b-fee-rule-after-lawsuit-check-who-gets-exemptions-and-what-1761025836778">US clarifies $100,000 H-1B fee rule after lawsuit — Check who gets exemptions?</a>&nbsp;The leader posted on X the exact line in Hebrew, hinting at blaming Israel for the video leak. He had previously used the same line when addressing Israel after surviving an airstrike on his home in Tehran during June’s war.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-war-a-strange-thing-says-ukraine-could-still-win-but-adds-i-don-t-think-they-will-1761011313214">Trump says Ukraine 'could still win' the war, but adds ‘I don’t think they will’</a>&nbsp;Reacting to the video, moderate cleric Mohammad-Ali Abtahi denied any wrongdoing as he said it was merely a video of unveiled women in a "female-only" gathering.&nbsp;The wedding, which reportedly took place in April 2024, is further fueling anger among those who believe the regime’s leaders are hypocritical in their treatment of women. Ali Shamkhani, 70, has long been a loyal ally of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He previously served as defense minister and headed the Supreme National Security Council until 2023.

The clip sparked outrage because women in the function, including the bride, were seen wearing revealing dresses. This holds utmost significance as a young woman, Mhasa Amini, was tortured to death in the country for not wearing her hijab properly.

After a clip from the wedding of an Iranian cleric's daughter went viral, the internet threw tons of questions at the regime of the Islamic Republic. The clip was from the wedding ceremony of Iran's former security chief Ali Shamkhani. The clip sparked outrage because women in the function, including the bride, were seen wearing revealing dresses. This holds utmost significance as a young woman, Mhasa Amini, was tortured to death in the country for not wearing her hijab "properly". Also read: Louvre heist sparks outrage, 'diversity hires' blames for 'theft of the decade' After receiving the utmost backlash, the close aide of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, defends himself on the grounds of privacy. He also hinted that the video leakage from a private ceremony was a "revenge" from his enemies. In his first reaction to the leaked video, Shamkhani told state media, “As I said earlier: Hey you bastards, I’m still alive,” referencing a quote from Papillon (1973), Iran International reported. Also read: US clarifies $100,000 H-1B fee rule after lawsuit — Check who gets exemptions? The leader posted on X the exact line in Hebrew, hinting at blaming Israel for the video leak. He had previously used the same line when addressing Israel after surviving an airstrike on his home in Tehran during June’s war. Also read: Trump says Ukraine 'could still win' the war, but adds ‘I don’t think they will’ Reacting to the video, moderate cleric Mohammad-Ali Abtahi denied any wrongdoing as he said it was merely a video of unveiled women in a "female-only" gathering. The wedding, which reportedly took place in April 2024, is further fueling anger among those who believe the regime’s leaders are hypocritical in their treatment of women. Ali Shamkhani, 70, has long been a loyal ally of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He previously served as defense minister and headed the Supreme National Security Council until 2023.

The clip sparked outrage because women in the function, including the bride, were seen wearing revealing dresses. This holds utmost significance as a young woman, Mhasa Amini, was tortured to death in the country for not wearing her hijab "properly".

Iran’s Ali Shamkhani defends daughter's 'western-style' wedding, indirectly calls leaked video 'revenge' by Israel

A new study has now found that microscopic remnants of long-dead organisms may still rest frozen in Mars' ice, enduring far longer than previously believed, even under extreme and life-hostile conditions. The findings indicate that bacterial traces could survive up to 50 million years of cosmic radiation if sealed in pure ice, giving hope of uncovering biological evidence beneath the frozen surface of Mars.&nbsp;In order to get findings, the team recreated conditions similar to the Mars environment in the lab using E. coli bacteria and pure water ice. The samples were frozen at minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit and exposed to a high amount of radiation similar to what Mars has been experiencing for millions of years, according to a report in The Earth.<h3>How results show life on Mars?</h3>When the result came, it surprised the researchers, showing over 10 per cent of the amino acids – the molecules that form proteins – remained unharmed. “Fifty million years is far greater than the expected age for some current surface ice deposits on Mars. That means if there are bacteria near the surface of Mars, future missions can find it," said Christopher House of Penn State.&nbsp;Samples containing Martian soil or rock broke down much more quickly, while pure ice offered protection by trapping harmful particles before they could spread. When radiation strikes ice mixed with minerals, it generates reactive radicals that move freely and destroy amino acids. In contrast, solid ice keeps these radicals frozen in place, minimising damage.&nbsp;“While in solid ice, harmful particles created by radiation get frozen in place and may not be able to reach organic compounds,” Pavlov said. This shows that, the pure ice, without rocky soil, there could be a possibility of life on Mars.&nbsp;Researchers also discovered that clay minerals such as montmorillonite provide no protection—in fact, they may worsen molecular decay by forming thin liquid films that allow radiation to travel more easily. Temperature proved a crucial factor too: under warmer, Mars-like conditions, amino acids deteriorated faster than in the frigid, Europa-like environment.&nbsp;At higher temperatures, radiation produces more mobile oxidants that rapidly react with organic matter. Interestingly, water content also played an unexpected role, contrary to earlier assumptions that more water speeds destruction; the new study found a more complex relationship at work.&nbsp;The radicals which were formed in pure ice were unable to move easily. However, it could still travel through thin liquid-like layers in minerals with small amounts of water and break molecules apart faster. The result indicated why ice, even after exposure, is still a better long-term protector than wet clay or rock mixtures.&nbsp;The study also indicates that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for tens of millions of years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it.&nbsp;Backed by NASA’s Planetary Science Division and scientists from Penn State, the research underscores one key insight: the search for life’s remnants should focus on ice rather than rock. The clues to Mars’s biological past may already be there, locked in the frozen layers, preserved across cosmic time and shielded from decay.

The study indicated that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for 10 million years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it.

A new study has now found that microscopic remnants of long-dead organisms may still rest frozen in Mars' ice, enduring far longer than previously believed, even under extreme and life-hostile conditions. The findings indicate that bacterial traces could survive up to 50 million years of cosmic radiation if sealed in pure ice, giving hope of uncovering biological evidence beneath the frozen surface of Mars. In order to get findings, the team recreated conditions similar to the Mars environment in the lab using E. coli bacteria and pure water ice. The samples were frozen at minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit and exposed to a high amount of radiation similar to what Mars has been experiencing for millions of years, according to a report in The Earth. How results show life on Mars? When the result came, it surprised the researchers, showing over 10 per cent of the amino acids – the molecules that form proteins – remained unharmed. “Fifty million years is far greater than the expected age for some current surface ice deposits on Mars. That means if there are bacteria near the surface of Mars, future missions can find it," said Christopher House of Penn State. Samples containing Martian soil or rock broke down much more quickly, while pure ice offered protection by trapping harmful particles before they could spread. When radiation strikes ice mixed with minerals, it generates reactive radicals that move freely and destroy amino acids. In contrast, solid ice keeps these radicals frozen in place, minimising damage. “While in solid ice, harmful particles created by radiation get frozen in place and may not be able to reach organic compounds,” Pavlov said. This shows that, the pure ice, without rocky soil, there could be a possibility of life on Mars. Researchers also discovered that clay minerals such as montmorillonite provide no protection—in fact, they may worsen molecular decay by forming thin liquid films that allow radiation to travel more easily. Temperature proved a crucial factor too: under warmer, Mars-like conditions, amino acids deteriorated faster than in the frigid, Europa-like environment. At higher temperatures, radiation produces more mobile oxidants that rapidly react with organic matter. Interestingly, water content also played an unexpected role, contrary to earlier assumptions that more water speeds destruction; the new study found a more complex relationship at work. The radicals which were formed in pure ice were unable to move easily. However, it could still travel through thin liquid-like layers in minerals with small amounts of water and break molecules apart faster. The result indicated why ice, even after exposure, is still a better long-term protector than wet clay or rock mixtures. The study also indicates that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for tens of millions of years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it. Backed by NASA’s Planetary Science Division and scientists from Penn State, the research underscores one key insight: the search for life’s remnants should focus on ice rather than rock. The clues to Mars’s biological past may already be there, locked in the frozen layers, preserved across cosmic time and shielded from decay.

The study indicated that if microbial life once existed on Mars, its chemical traces might still be hidden beneath the planet’s icy surface. Pure ice, researchers found, can preserve organic material for 10 million years, potentially long enough for future human missions to uncover it.

Life on Mars? Study finds traces of life may still lie beneath the planet's frozen surface

Delhi has claimed the title of the world’s most polluted city, according to a recent report by Swiss air quality firm IQAir. Along with the Indian capital, two other cities from India—Mumbai and Kolkata—also feature in the top 10 most polluted cities globally. Mumbai ranks 5th, while Kolkata comes in at 8th. This worrying data places India at the center of the global air pollution crisis, but it’s not just Indian cities facing this problem. Two Pakistani cities—Lahore and Karachi—also make the list, occupying the 2nd and 4th spots, respectively.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-operation-sindoor-marks-india-s-strength-and-resilience-says-pm-modi-in-diwali-letter-1761028872913">'Operation Sindoor marks India’s strength and resilience', says PM Modi in Diwali letter</a>&nbsp;As Diwali celebrations continued across Delhi-NCR, the capital woke up to hazardous air quality on Tuesday (October 21) morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into the ‘severe’ category, reaching an alarming 451—almost double the national safety threshold. Several parts of Delhi, including Noida and Gurgaon, recorded AQI levels of 407 and 402, respectively, while the majority of monitoring stations indicated 'red zone' conditions, marking the air as ‘very poor’ or worse. The pollution levels worsened overnight, following the Diwali festivities, which had already seen air quality deteriorate to the ‘very poor’ category. Areas like Punjabi Bagh topped the charts with an AQI of 999, the highest possible reading, while Narayana registered 611. Other hotspots like Rohini and Anand Vihar reached 500, with Central Delhi seeing 409, and Noida at 392.&nbsp;The timing of this report coincides with the aftermath of Diwali, when firecracker use significantly worsens air quality across India. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the sale of "green crackers" between October 18 and 21, many ignored the prescribed timing limits, which led to further pollution spikes. The court had set specific windows (6-7 pm and 8-10 pm) for firecracker use, but celebrations stretched beyond these hours.&nbsp;In Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a ‘very poor’ 350 on Tuesday, with some areas, such as Bawana and Jahangirpuri, reaching ‘severe’ levels (AQI over 401). The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500, where anything above 300 is categorised as hazardous to health. This data highlights the urgent need for stricter pollution control measures and greater public awareness of the environmental and health impacts of firecrackers.

Delhi tops list as world's most polluted city; Mumbai, Kolkata, Lahore, and Karachi make top 10

Delhi has claimed the title of the world’s most polluted city, according to a recent report by Swiss air quality firm IQAir. Along with the Indian capital, two other cities from India—Mumbai and Kolkata—also feature in the top 10 most polluted cities globally. Mumbai ranks 5th, while Kolkata comes in at 8th. This worrying data places India at the center of the global air pollution crisis, but it’s not just Indian cities facing this problem. Two Pakistani cities—Lahore and Karachi—also make the list, occupying the 2nd and 4th spots, respectively. Also Read: 'Operation Sindoor marks India’s strength and resilience', says PM Modi in Diwali letter As Diwali celebrations continued across Delhi-NCR, the capital woke up to hazardous air quality on Tuesday (October 21) morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into the ‘severe’ category, reaching an alarming 451—almost double the national safety threshold. Several parts of Delhi, including Noida and Gurgaon, recorded AQI levels of 407 and 402, respectively, while the majority of monitoring stations indicated 'red zone' conditions, marking the air as ‘very poor’ or worse. The pollution levels worsened overnight, following the Diwali festivities, which had already seen air quality deteriorate to the ‘very poor’ category. Areas like Punjabi Bagh topped the charts with an AQI of 999, the highest possible reading, while Narayana registered 611. Other hotspots like Rohini and Anand Vihar reached 500, with Central Delhi seeing 409, and Noida at 392. The timing of this report coincides with the aftermath of Diwali, when firecracker use significantly worsens air quality across India. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the sale of "green crackers" between October 18 and 21, many ignored the prescribed timing limits, which led to further pollution spikes. The court had set specific windows (6-7 pm and 8-10 pm) for firecracker use, but celebrations stretched beyond these hours. In Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a ‘very poor’ 350 on Tuesday, with some areas, such as Bawana and Jahangirpuri, reaching ‘severe’ levels (AQI over 401). The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500, where anything above 300 is categorised as hazardous to health. This data highlights the urgent need for stricter pollution control measures and greater public awareness of the environmental and health impacts of firecrackers.

Delhi is the most polluted city globally, with Mumbai and Kolkata also in the top 10. Diwali firecrackers worsen air quality, pushing AQI to hazardous levels

The Louvre burglary has blown open a fierce public row in France, with critics arguing that the audacious burglary was made possible because of "diversity hires," a barb reminiscent of US President Donald Trump. On Sunday (Oct 19), four masked burglars pulled off what officials called the "theft of the decade," stealing priceless jewellery tied to Napoleon’s family. Investigators are still hunting the suspects and say they have not ruled anything out, including an inside job, though the evidence currently points to organised crime.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-king-trump-trump-shares-ai-generated-video-mocking-protestors-amid-no-kings-protests-1760852945951">‘King Trump’: Trump shares AI-generated video mocking protestors amid ‘No Kings’ protests</a><h2>Lourve museum's security shortcomings revealed</h2>The theft has exposed long-running concerns about museum security. Dominique Buffin, 46, who was appointed last September as the Louvre’s first female head of security, has become a target with critics accusing the museum of prioritising optics over competence, and calling for her resignation.Marion Maréchal, an MEP (Member of the European Parliament) and niece of Marine Le Pen, has labelled the incident "ridiculous" and said the museum’s director, Laurence Des Cars, should also step down. She said that the burglary has made France the "laughing stock of the world". She alleged that Cars and Buffin were only hired as "part of a feminisation policy," and must be asked to resign. On X, she said that the Culture Minister Rachida Dati "must demand the immediate resignation of the museum’s director Laurence Des Cars and the security chief Dominique Buffin, whom she appointed – Le Monde was delighted – as part of a feminisation policy."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-like-watching-a-living-galaxy-unfurl-beneath-you-shubhanshu-shukla-shares-breathtaking-diwali-spectacle-of-india-from-space-station-watch-video-1761020335036">'Like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you': Shubhanshu Shukla shares breathtaking Diwali spectacle of India from space station. Watch video</a>"Evidently at the cost of forgoing competence and endangering the cultural heritage of our Nation," she alleged.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Depuis 24 heures, la France est la risée du monde à cause du vol ridicule des joyaux de la couronne au Louvre. Cette humiliation ne peut rester sans réaction : Rachida Dati doit exiger la démission immédiate de la directrice du musée Laurence Des Cars et de la responsable de la…— Marion Maréchal (@MarionMarechal) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarionMarechal/status/1980251055267913825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, National Rally leaders described the theft as a wound to France’s soul and an "intolerable humiliation," while the justice minister said the incident painted a terrible image of the country where thieves could just “grab priceless jewels”. Talking to Inter Radio, Gérald Darmanin, the Justice minister, said: "What is certain is that we have failed, since people were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris, get people up it in several minutes to grab priceless jewels, and give France a terrible image."

The Louvre heist has spiralled into a political firestorm in France, with critics blaming “diversity hires” for what they call a preventable failure. 

The Louvre burglary has blown open a fierce public row in France, with critics arguing that the audacious burglary was made possible because of "diversity hires," a barb reminiscent of US President Donald Trump. On Sunday (Oct 19), four masked burglars pulled off what officials called the "theft of the decade," stealing priceless jewellery tied to Napoleon’s family. Investigators are still hunting the suspects and say they have not ruled anything out, including an inside job, though the evidence currently points to organised crime. Also read | ‘King Trump’: Trump shares AI-generated video mocking protestors amid ‘No Kings’ protests Lourve museum's security shortcomings revealed The theft has exposed long-running concerns about museum security. Dominique Buffin, 46, who was appointed last September as the Louvre’s first female head of security, has become a target with critics accusing the museum of prioritising optics over competence, and calling for her resignation. Marion Maréchal, an MEP (Member of the European Parliament) and niece of Marine Le Pen, has labelled the incident "ridiculous" and said the museum’s director, Laurence Des Cars, should also step down. She said that the burglary has made France the "laughing stock of the world". She alleged that Cars and Buffin were only hired as "part of a feminisation policy," and must be asked to resign. On X, she said that the Culture Minister Rachida Dati "must demand the immediate resignation of the museum’s director Laurence Des Cars and the security chief Dominique Buffin, whom she appointed – Le Monde was delighted – as part of a feminisation policy." Also read | 'Like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you': Shubhanshu Shukla shares breathtaking Diwali spectacle of India from space station. Watch video "Evidently at the cost of forgoing competence and endangering the cultural heritage of our Nation," she alleged.

The Louvre heist has spiralled into a political firestorm in France, with critics blaming “diversity hires” for what they call a preventable failure.&nbsp;

Louvre burglary sparks outrage, critics blame 'diversity hires' for the 'theft of the decade'

Most storms bring hazardous winds that can bring destruction when winds speed reach over 58 miles per hour. There are several such places on Earth where the weather is extreme due to hazardous winds which are quite powerful. Let's have a look at the top 7 windiest places on Earth.

The 7 windiest places on Earth you must know about

Legendary singer Kenny Loggins has demanded that US President Donald Trump must remove his hit song "Danger Zone" from a bizarre AI generated video the POTUS posted recently. The video in question showed Trump dumping sludge on "No Kings" protestors from a plane emblazoned with "King Trump". In a statement, the 77-year-old singer said he never permitted Trump to use his 1986 hit "Danger Zone" in the AI generated clip. Calling it an "unauthorised use of my performance of ‘Danger Zone'," Loggins said he was not asked for permission and "would have denied" even if he was.<h2>Something with 'sole purpose of dividing us'</h2>The American singer and songwriter said Trump's use of his music was "unauthorised" and noted, "Nobody asked me for my permission, which I would have denied." He then requested that his "recording on this video is removed immediately".Kenny Loggins added that he cannot "imagine why anybody would want their music used or associated with something created with the sole purpose of dividing us."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-king-trump-trump-shares-ai-generated-video-mocking-protestors-amid-no-kings-protests-1760852945951">‘King Trump’: Trump shares AI-generated video mocking protestors amid ‘No Kings’ protests</a>"Too many people are trying to tear us apart, and we need to find new ways to come together. We’re all Americans, and we’re all patriotic. There is no ‘us and them’—that’s not who we are, nor is it what we should be. It’s all of us. We’re in this together, and it is my hope that we can embrace music as a way of celebrating and uniting each and every one of us," he said.<h2>White House replies to Kenny Login's statement</h2>The White House, when asked by Daily Beast for its response to the legendary singer, songwriter's statement on the unauthorised use of his performance, merely sent a screengrab. What did the screengrab say? According to the report, it was a screengrab of Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards' 1986 movie 'Top Gun' and had the text "I feel the need for speed". This, as per the publication, could be the Trump administration's attempt to pay homage to the film.<h2>Trump's bizarre "King Trump" video</h2>Trump stoked the political fire on Sunday (Oct 19) by sharing an AI-generated video in which he appeared to pilot a fighter jet emblazoned with the words "King Trump." The video comes amid the "No Kings" protests, which as per reports drew nearly seven million participants nationwide. In the clearly AI-generated video he can be dumping mud or some other unidentified sludge on protesters from the air at what looked like Times Square. The 19-second clip, posted on Truth Social, even showed influencer Harry Sisson getting splattered in the chaos.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-king-trump-trump-shares-ai-generated-video-mocking-protestors-amid-no-kings-protests-1760852945951">‘King Trump’: Trump shares AI-generated video mocking protestors amid ‘No Kings’ protests</a>

Legendary singer Kenny Loggins has demanded Trump remove his hit "Danger Zone" from an AI-generated video showing the president dumping sludge on “No Kings” protesters. He called it unauthorised. The White House meanwhile responded by trolling the singer. All you need to know.

Legendary singer Kenny Loggins has demanded that US President Donald Trump must remove his hit song "Danger Zone" from a bizarre AI generated video the POTUS posted recently. The video in question showed Trump dumping sludge on "No Kings" protestors from a plane emblazoned with "King Trump". In a statement, the 77-year-old singer said he never permitted Trump to use his 1986 hit "Danger Zone" in the AI generated clip. Calling it an "unauthorised use of my performance of ‘Danger Zone'," Loggins said he was not asked for permission and "would have denied" even if he was. Something with 'sole purpose of dividing us' The American singer and songwriter said Trump's use of his music was "unauthorised" and noted, "Nobody asked me for my permission, which I would have denied." He then requested that his "recording on this video is removed immediately". Kenny Loggins added that he cannot "imagine why anybody would want their music used or associated with something created with the sole purpose of dividing us." Also read | ‘King Trump’: Trump shares AI-generated video mocking protestors amid ‘No Kings’ protests "Too many people are trying to tear us apart, and we need to find new ways to come together. We’re all Americans, and we’re all patriotic. There is no ‘us and them’—that’s not who we are, nor is it what we should be. It’s all of us. We’re in this together, and it is my hope that we can embrace music as a way of celebrating and uniting each and every one of us," he said. White House replies to Kenny Login's statement The White House, when asked by Daily Beast for its response to the legendary singer, songwriter's statement on the unauthorised use of his performance, merely sent a screengrab. What did the screengrab say? According to the report, it was a screengrab of Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards' 1986 movie 'Top Gun' and had the text "I feel the need for speed". This, as per the publication, could be the Trump administration's attempt to pay homage to the film. Trump's bizarre "King Trump" video Trump stoked the political fire on Sunday (Oct 19) by sharing an AI-generated video in which he appeared to pilot a fighter jet emblazoned with the words "King Trump." The video comes amid the "No Kings" protests, which as per reports drew nearly seven million participants nationwide. In the clearly AI-generated video he can be dumping mud or some other unidentified sludge on protesters from the air at what looked like Times Square. The 19-second clip, posted on Truth Social, even showed influencer Harry Sisson getting splattered in the chaos. Also read | ‘King Trump’: Trump shares AI-generated video mocking protestors amid ‘No Kings’ protests

Legendary singer Kenny Loggins has demanded Trump remove his hit "Danger Zone" from an AI-generated video showing the president dumping sludge on “No Kings” protesters. He called it unauthorised. The White House meanwhile responded by trolling the singer. All you need to know.

Kenny Loggins slams 'divisive, unauthorised' use of music in viral 'King Trump' clip, White House responds with trolling

A video showing the daughter of Ali Shamkhani, a high-ranking aide to Iran's Supreme Leader, wearing a strapless wedding dress at a luxurious Tehran hotel has ignited significant controversy. The footage, which surfaced on social media platform X on October 17, depicts Shamkhani escorting his daughter, Fatemeh, into the upscale Espinas Palace Hotel, where guests cheer as she walks in wearing a designer gown with a low neckline. The extravagant wedding, seen as a stark contrast to the regime’s stringent dress codes for women, has sparked a backlash. Critics argue that it exposes the hypocrisy of Iran’s leadership, which imposes severe hijab laws on the public while allowing the elite to bypass them. Shamkhani, who has previously overseen brutal crackdowns on anti-hijab protests, is being accused of double standards.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-war-a-strange-thing-says-ukraine-could-still-win-but-adds-i-don-t-think-they-will-1761011313214">Trump calls war ‘a strange thing’ says Ukraine 'could still win,' but adds ‘I don’t think they will’</a>&nbsp;Masih Alinejad, an exiled activist, condemned the event on X, emphasising the irony that while women in Iran face violence for showing their hair, the daughter of a key government official celebrates in a strapless gown. She accused the regime of preaching modesty while their own families are exempt from such rules. Swedish-Iranian politician Alireza Akhondi also criticised the wedding, calling it a clear demonstration of corruption and privilege. He noted that Fatemeh Shamkhani’s freedom to wear whatever she wanted is a direct result of her father’s powerful position, which he argued had little to do with religion.<h2>Watch the viral video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The daughter of Ali Shamkhani one of the Islamic Republic’s top enforcers had a lavish wedding in a strapless dress. Meanwhile, women in Iran are beaten for showing their hair and young people can’t afford to marry. This video made millions of Iranian furious. Because they… <a href="https://t.co/MAb9hNgBnN">https://t.co/MAb9hNgBnN</a> <a href="https://t.co/WoRgbpXQFA">pic.twitter.com/WoRgbpXQFA</a>&mdash; Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlinejadMasih/status/1979867926162280534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The incident has sparked debate just as Iran plans to expand its morality police force with 80,000 new officers tasked with enforcing strict hijab laws in Tehran. The wedding, which reportedly took place in April 2024, is further fueling anger among those who believe the regime’s leaders are hypocritical in their treatment of women. Ali Shamkhani, 70, has long been a loyal ally of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He previously served as defense minister and headed the Supreme National Security Council until 2023. Under his leadership, the regime implemented a brutal crackdown on protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022, who died in police custody after allegedly violating hijab regulations. The government’s violent response led to the deaths of over 500 people and the arrest of thousands more, particularly targeting women and girls.

WATCH | Iran's supreme leader's aide faces backlash after daughter’s lavish, hijab-free wedding

A video showing the daughter of Ali Shamkhani, a high-ranking aide to Iran's Supreme Leader, wearing a strapless wedding dress at a luxurious Tehran hotel has ignited significant controversy. The footage, which surfaced on social media platform X on October 17, depicts Shamkhani escorting his daughter, Fatemeh, into the upscale Espinas Palace Hotel, where guests cheer as she walks in wearing a designer gown with a low neckline. The extravagant wedding, seen as a stark contrast to the regime’s stringent dress codes for women, has sparked a backlash. Critics argue that it exposes the hypocrisy of Iran’s leadership, which imposes severe hijab laws on the public while allowing the elite to bypass them. Shamkhani, who has previously overseen brutal crackdowns on anti-hijab protests, is being accused of double standards. Also Read: Trump calls war ‘a strange thing’ says Ukraine 'could still win,' but adds ‘I don’t think they will’ Masih Alinejad, an exiled activist, condemned the event on X, emphasising the irony that while women in Iran face violence for showing their hair, the daughter of a key government official celebrates in a strapless gown. She accused the regime of preaching modesty while their own families are exempt from such rules. Swedish-Iranian politician Alireza Akhondi also criticised the wedding, calling it a clear demonstration of corruption and privilege. He noted that Fatemeh Shamkhani’s freedom to wear whatever she wanted is a direct result of her father’s powerful position, which he argued had little to do with religion. Watch the viral video here

A video of Ali Shamkhani’s daughter wearing a strapless wedding gown sparks outrage, highlighting the hypocrisy of Iran’s strict hijab laws amid elite privilege

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla gave the world a stunning view of Diwali from space, sharing a video that shows India aglow with festival lights from hundreds of kilometres above Earth. The clip, posted on X (formerly Twitter), on Monday (Oct 20) quickly went viral, captivating millions with its cosmic perspective of the festival of lights. Check it out here.<h2>India a 'jewel'</h2>Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Diwali shared an "out of this world" video of India as it looks from the space. It was captured from the space station’s observation module during Shukla's 18-day orbital mission earlier this year. The video sweeps across the subcontinent from southwest to northeast.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/diwali-fires-keep-delhi-firefighters-busy-over-170-fire-incidents-including-2-major-factory-fires-reported-1761012585475">Delhi Diwali fires break previous records: Firefighters spend festival night fighting over 400 fires</a>The video shows Indian cities sparkling like constellations, with major cities including Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and New Delhi appearing. Shukla described the sight poetically: "Flying over India from space — from the sunlit southwest to the misty northeast — is like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you. You don’t just see it; you feel it in every fibre of your being."The video isn’t just a celebration of human lights. Nature also makes a cameo. Flashes of lightning over the Bay of Bengal and central India, which Shukla described as “purple flares,” also made a spectacular appearance in the video: "Nature's own pyrotechnics reminding you who the original artist of light truly is".Watch it here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Flying over India from space — from the sunlit southwest to the misty northeast — is like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you. You don’t just see it; you feel it in every fibre of your being. The peninsula glows like a jewel. To the left, Pune sparkles; below, Bengaluru… <a href="https://t.co/ZWfwWFlz9R">pic.twitter.com/ZWfwWFlz9R</a>&mdash; Shubhanshu Shukla (@gagan_shux) <a href="https://twitter.com/gagan_shux/status/1980199141193253078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

As the spacecraft drifts northward, the scene changes. Bright city lights give way to the dark silhouettes of the Himalayas, followed by the ethereal spectacle of an orbital sunrise casting soft blue hues across the upper atmosphere. "The Himalayas emerge — a silent, solemn silhouette against the void. And just beyond, a soft blue whisper of light rises — the orbital sunrise."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ins-vikrant-sent-shockwaves-across-pakistan-made-sure-they-don-t-sleep-at-night-pm-modi-celebrates-diwali-with-soldiers-1760943779241">INS Vikrant sent shockwaves across Pakistan, made sure they don’t sleep at night: PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers</a>"Up there, watching this grand spectacle unfold, you can’t help but smile," said Shukla, adding "This isn’t just Diwali on Earth — it’s Diwali of Earth. The festival of lights, written across an entire nation, glowing proudly on a cosmic stage." For viewers the video offered a rare, unifying perspective — a reminder of the beauty and scale of Diwali, and the shared wonder of seeing it from beyond the skies.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shared a viral Diwali video, showing India aglow from space. The spectacular video was captured from the space station and offers a “living galaxy” view of the subcontinent. Watch it here.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla gave the world a stunning view of Diwali from space, sharing a video that shows India aglow with festival lights from hundreds of kilometres above Earth. The clip, posted on X (formerly Twitter), on Monday (Oct 20) quickly went viral, captivating millions with its cosmic perspective of the festival of lights. Check it out here. India a 'jewel' Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Diwali shared an "out of this world" video of India as it looks from the space. It was captured from the space station’s observation module during Shukla's 18-day orbital mission earlier this year. The video sweeps across the subcontinent from southwest to northeast. Also read | Delhi Diwali fires break previous records: Firefighters spend festival night fighting over 400 fires The video shows Indian cities sparkling like constellations, with major cities including Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and New Delhi appearing. Shukla described the sight poetically: "Flying over India from space — from the sunlit southwest to the misty northeast — is like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you. You don’t just see it; you feel it in every fibre of your being." The video isn’t just a celebration of human lights. Nature also makes a cameo. Flashes of lightning over the Bay of Bengal and central India, which Shukla described as “purple flares,” also made a spectacular appearance in the video: "Nature's own pyrotechnics reminding you who the original artist of light truly is". Watch it here:

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shared a viral Diwali video, showing India aglow from space. The spectacular video was captured from the space station and offers a “living galaxy” view of the subcontinent. Watch it here.

'Like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you': Shubhanshu Shukla shares breathtaking Diwali spectacle of India from space station. Watch video

Delhi Fire Services were flooded with emergency calls on Monday (Oct 20) night as Diwali celebrations lit up the capital — quite literally. By 6:00 AM (Tuesday, Oct 21), officials said they had received more than 400 fire-related calls, and the number was still climbing as reports from across the city poured in. Here's all you need to know.<h2>Diwali celebrations set Delhi on fire</h2>As per an ANI report, on Diwali night, the Delhi Fire Services received over 400 reports of fire. While the fire services earlier said it received 170 calls till 11:30 PM (Oct 20), by 6:00 AM the next day this number grew to over 400. Most of these incidents, as per the report, were thankfully minor. However, two major factory fires in the Narela industrial area kept firefighters on their toes late into the night.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ins-vikrant-sent-shockwaves-across-pakistan-made-sure-they-don-t-sleep-at-night-pm-modi-celebrates-diwali-with-soldiers-1760943779241">INS Vikrant sent shockwaves across Pakistan, made sure they don’t sleep at night: PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers</a>One of the blazes broke out at a shoe manufacturing unit in the DSIIDC Industrial Area of Narela. Sixteen fire tenders were rushed to the spot as thick black smoke covered the building.Not long after, another fire erupted at a cardboard manufacturing factory in Bhorgarh Industrial Area, Phase 2 — just a few kilometres away. This second fire was more intense, prompting the deployment of 26 fire tenders."Delhi Fire Service received a call regarding the fire incident at the cardboard manufacturing factory in Bhorgarh Industrial Area Phase 2 in Narela. 26 fire tenders are present at the spot. The fire has been controlled..." said Fire Officer SK Dua.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-aqi-on-diwali-very-poor-334-after-supreme-court-allows-bursting-firecrackers-1760966712151">Delhi AQI plummets to 'very poor' on Diwali, further dip in air quality expected</a><h2>Diwali fires and Delhi</h2>Every year, the national capital sees a spike in fire incidents during Diwali despite restrictions on fireworks. Last year, the Indian national capital saw 318 fire-related incidents being reported on Diwali night. This, as per a New Indian Express report, was the highest number of fires in 13 years. This year’s numbers are still coming in, and a final count will be released after all reports are compiled.

On Diwali night, Delhi Fire Services received over 400 fire-related calls, including major blazes at a shoe factory in DSIIDC Narela and a cardboard factory in Bhorgarh. Here's all you need to know.

Delhi Fire Services were flooded with emergency calls on Monday (Oct 20) night as Diwali celebrations lit up the capital — quite literally. By 6:00 AM (Tuesday, Oct 21), officials said they had received more than 400 fire-related calls, and the number was still climbing as reports from across the city poured in. Here's all you need to know. Diwali celebrations set Delhi on fire As per an ANI report, on Diwali night, the Delhi Fire Services received over 400 reports of fire. While the fire services earlier said it received 170 calls till 11:30 PM (Oct 20), by 6:00 AM the next day this number grew to over 400. Most of these incidents, as per the report, were thankfully minor. However, two major factory fires in the Narela industrial area kept firefighters on their toes late into the night. Also read | INS Vikrant sent shockwaves across Pakistan, made sure they don’t sleep at night: PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers One of the blazes broke out at a shoe manufacturing unit in the DSIIDC Industrial Area of Narela. Sixteen fire tenders were rushed to the spot as thick black smoke covered the building. Not long after, another fire erupted at a cardboard manufacturing factory in Bhorgarh Industrial Area, Phase 2 — just a few kilometres away. This second fire was more intense, prompting the deployment of 26 fire tenders. "Delhi Fire Service received a call regarding the fire incident at the cardboard manufacturing factory in Bhorgarh Industrial Area Phase 2 in Narela. 26 fire tenders are present at the spot. The fire has been controlled..." said Fire Officer SK Dua. Also read | Delhi AQI plummets to 'very poor' on Diwali, further dip in air quality expected Diwali fires and Delhi Every year, the national capital sees a spike in fire incidents during Diwali despite restrictions on fireworks. Last year, the Indian national capital saw 318 fire-related incidents being reported on Diwali night. This, as per a New Indian Express report, was the highest number of fires in 13 years. This year’s numbers are still coming in, and a final count will be released after all reports are compiled.

On Diwali night, Delhi Fire Services received over 400 fire-related calls, including major blazes at a shoe factory in DSIIDC Narela and a cardboard factory in Bhorgarh. Here's all you need to know.

Delhi Diwali fires break previous records: Firefighters spend festival night fighting over 400 fires

President Donald Trump said on Monday (Oct 20) that Ukraine “could still win” its war against Russia — but quickly added he doesn't think it will. He made the comments during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House. When asked to clarify remarks he made earlier at the United Nations, where he claimed Kyiv "could possibly win the war" against Vladimir Putin's Russia, Trump said, “Well, they could. They could still win it. I don’t think they will, but they could still win it.”<h2>Misunderstood Trump?</h2>Trump, when grilled over his earlier remarks and whether he truly believed Ukraine could defeat Russia, claimed his comments were being misinterpreted. Noting that "war is a strange thing," he said, "I never said that they would win it. I said they could win it. Anything can happen. You know, war is a very strange thing."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-conditional-ceasefire-in-gaza-trump-warns-hamas-says-will-eradicate-the-palestinian-militants-if-1761009401745">'Conditional' ceasefire in Gaza? Trump warns Hamas, says will 'eradicate' the Palestinian militants if...</a>The Oval Office meeting wasn’t just about Ukraine. Trump and Albanese signed a multi-billion dollar agreement on critical minerals and defence cooperation, signalling a strengthening of US-Australia ties even as the administration faces mounting global crises.<h2>Zelensky continues to push for Tomahawks</h2>Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to push for stronger American backing. In an interview with NBC News, he urged Trump to apply “more pressure” on Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that Putin is “something similar but stronger than Hamas.” Zelensky said he hoped Washington would provide long-range Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory.Trump has left that option open, though he appeared noncommittal after meeting Zelenskyy at the White House last week. &nbsp;"It was good that President Trump didn't say 'no', but for today, didn't say 'yes'," Zelenskyy noted after the meeting which as per reports culminated into a "shouting match".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-zelensky-meeting-reportedly-erupts-into-shouting-match-as-potus-reconnects-with-putin-1760927147107">Trump-Zelensky meeting reportedly erupts into 'shouting match' as POTUS reconnects with Putin</a><h2>Trump to meet Putin, but Zelensky isn't invited?</h2>Trump, who has made ending the Ukraine war a key foreign policy goal, announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest for a second round of peace talks. The Ukrainian president, who is yet to be formally invited to the meeting aimed at peace in Ukraine, said he was prepared to attend. "If we really want to have just and lasting peace, we need both sides of this tragedy," he said. "How can there be some deals without us about us?" he questioned.

Trump said Ukraine “could still win” its war with Russia but added he doesn’t think it will. He later claimed his remarks were “misunderstood,” calling war “a strange thing.” The comment came as he announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest — without inviting Zelensky.

President Donald Trump said on Monday (Oct 20) that Ukraine “could still win” its war against Russia — but quickly added he doesn't think it will. He made the comments during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House. When asked to clarify remarks he made earlier at the United Nations, where he claimed Kyiv "could possibly win the war" against Vladimir Putin's Russia, Trump said, “Well, they could. They could still win it. I don’t think they will, but they could still win it.” Misunderstood Trump? Trump, when grilled over his earlier remarks and whether he truly believed Ukraine could defeat Russia, claimed his comments were being misinterpreted. Noting that "war is a strange thing," he said, "I never said that they would win it. I said they could win it. Anything can happen. You know, war is a very strange thing." Also read | 'Conditional' ceasefire in Gaza? Trump warns Hamas, says will 'eradicate' the Palestinian militants if... The Oval Office meeting wasn’t just about Ukraine. Trump and Albanese signed a multi-billion dollar agreement on critical minerals and defence cooperation, signalling a strengthening of US-Australia ties even as the administration faces mounting global crises. Zelensky continues to push for Tomahawks Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to push for stronger American backing. In an interview with NBC News, he urged Trump to apply “more pressure” on Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that Putin is “something similar but stronger than Hamas.” Zelensky said he hoped Washington would provide long-range Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory. Trump has left that option open, though he appeared noncommittal after meeting Zelenskyy at the White House last week. "It was good that President Trump didn't say 'no', but for today, didn't say 'yes'," Zelenskyy noted after the meeting which as per reports culminated into a "shouting match". Also read | Trump-Zelensky meeting reportedly erupts into 'shouting match' as POTUS reconnects with Putin Trump to meet Putin, but Zelensky isn't invited? Trump, who has made ending the Ukraine war a key foreign policy goal, announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest for a second round of peace talks. The Ukrainian president, who is yet to be formally invited to the meeting aimed at peace in Ukraine, said he was prepared to attend. "If we really want to have just and lasting peace, we need both sides of this tragedy," he said. "How can there be some deals without us about us?" he questioned.

Trump said Ukraine “could still win” its war with Russia but added he doesn’t think it will. He later claimed his remarks were “misunderstood,” calling war “a strange thing.” The comment came as he announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest — without inviting Zelensky.

Trump calls war ‘a strange thing’ says Ukraine 'could still win,' but adds ‘I don’t think they will’

US President Donald Trump delivered a blunt warning to Hamas on Monday (Oct 20), saying the militant group would be "eradicated" if it breaks the fragile Gaza truce he helped broker — but he also said he would give the militants a chance to honour the deal. Trump, speaking at the White House while hosting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, framed the Gaza ceasefire agreed on recently as conditional. Here's what he said.<h2>A 'conditional' ceasefire in Gaza?</h2>Speaking to the press, Trump said, "We made a deal with Hamas that they're going to be very good, they're going to behave, they're going to be nice". He added that "And if they're not, we're going to go, and we're going to eradicate them, if we have to. They'll be eradicated, and they know that."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-insists-gaza-ceasefire-still-in-place-despite-fresh-israeli-strikes-blames-rebels-within-for-violations-1760923155703">Trump insists Gaza ceasefire still in place despite fresh Israeli strikes, blames 'rebels within' for violations</a>The comments came as tensions threatened to undo the ceasefire. Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the return of bodies of hostages and of mounting attacks, while Hamas negotiators insist they remain committed. Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s top negotiator, told Egypt’s Al-Qahera News that extracting bodies has been "extremely difficult," but that Hamas wants the agreement to hold and is working to honor it. "We are finding it extremely difficult to extract the bodies, but we are serious and working hard to extract them," he said in comments broadcast Tuesday morning."The Gaza agreement will hold, because we want it to and our will to abide by it is strong," he added.<h2>Trump warns Hamas against public executions</h2>Condemning reports of public executions carried out by Hamas against rivals and alleged collaborators, Trump said the United States would not lead any ground intervention. He pointed instead to a coalition of countries that have signaled readiness to join stabilisation forces in Gaza, which he said would "love to go in." He also insisted that Israel would "go in two minutes" if he asked them to. "But right now, we haven't said that. We're going to give it a little chance, and hopefully there will be a little less violence. But right now, you know, they're violent people," he added.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-ceasefire-at-risk-us-warns-of-hamas-attack-on-civilians-militants-call-claim-false-say-we-categorically-deny-it-1760860736782">Gaza ceasefire at risk? US warns of Hamas attack on civilians, militants call claim false say 'we categorically deny it'</a>He painted Hamas as weakened, saying its regional backer Iran is unlikely to intervene after strikes earlier this year. "They got very rambunctious, and they did things that they shouldn't be doing, and if they keep doing it, then we're going to go in and straighten it out, and it'll happen very quickly and pretty violently." Trump insisted that Hamas "don't have the backing of really anybody anymore. They have to be good, and if they're not good, they'll be eradicated."

Trump warned Hamas will be “eradicated” if it breaks the Gaza truce he brokered, but said he’ll give them a chance to honour the deal. Labelling the ceasefire as conditional, he insisted Israel would go back in “if I asked”.

US President Donald Trump delivered a blunt warning to Hamas on Monday (Oct 20), saying the militant group would be "eradicated" if it breaks the fragile Gaza truce he helped broker — but he also said he would give the militants a chance to honour the deal. Trump, speaking at the White House while hosting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, framed the Gaza ceasefire agreed on recently as conditional. Here's what he said. A 'conditional' ceasefire in Gaza? Speaking to the press, Trump said, "We made a deal with Hamas that they're going to be very good, they're going to behave, they're going to be nice". He added that "And if they're not, we're going to go, and we're going to eradicate them, if we have to. They'll be eradicated, and they know that." Also read | Trump insists Gaza ceasefire still in place despite fresh Israeli strikes, blames 'rebels within' for violations The comments came as tensions threatened to undo the ceasefire. Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the return of bodies of hostages and of mounting attacks, while Hamas negotiators insist they remain committed. Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s top negotiator, told Egypt’s Al-Qahera News that extracting bodies has been "extremely difficult," but that Hamas wants the agreement to hold and is working to honor it. "We are finding it extremely difficult to extract the bodies, but we are serious and working hard to extract them," he said in comments broadcast Tuesday morning. "The Gaza agreement will hold, because we want it to and our will to abide by it is strong," he added. Trump warns Hamas against public executions Condemning reports of public executions carried out by Hamas against rivals and alleged collaborators, Trump said the United States would not lead any ground intervention. He pointed instead to a coalition of countries that have signaled readiness to join stabilisation forces in Gaza, which he said would "love to go in." He also insisted that Israel would "go in two minutes" if he asked them to. "But right now, we haven't said that. We're going to give it a little chance, and hopefully there will be a little less violence. But right now, you know, they're violent people," he added. Also read | Gaza ceasefire at risk? US warns of Hamas attack on civilians, militants call claim false say 'we categorically deny it' He painted Hamas as weakened, saying its regional backer Iran is unlikely to intervene after strikes earlier this year. "They got very rambunctious, and they did things that they shouldn't be doing, and if they keep doing it, then we're going to go in and straighten it out, and it'll happen very quickly and pretty violently." Trump insisted that Hamas "don't have the backing of really anybody anymore. They have to be good, and if they're not good, they'll be eradicated."

Trump warned Hamas will be “eradicated” if it breaks the Gaza truce he brokered, but said he’ll give them a chance to honour the deal. Labelling the ceasefire as conditional, he insisted Israel would go back in “if I asked”.

'Conditional' ceasefire in Gaza? Trump warns Hamas, says will 'eradicate' the Palestinian militants if...

As India celebrates Diwali on Monday (Oct 20), Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his wishes on the festival of lights for the Hindu population of his country. “As homes and hearts are illuminated with the light of Diwali, may this festival dispel darkness, foster harmony, and guide us all toward a future of peace, compassion, and shared prosperity,” Sharif wrote on X.&nbsp;“The spirit of Diwali that embodies light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair inspires our collective resolve to overcome the challenges confronting our societies, from intolerance to inequality,” he added.&nbsp;Also, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on the occasion that the festival of Diwali “reminds us of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil”.&nbsp;As per a report by Radio Pakistan, Zardari noted that the country's constitution guaranteed equal rights and complete freedom of religion to all citizens. &nbsp;

As per a report by Radio Pakistan, Zardari noted that the country constitution guaranteed equal rights and complete freedom of religion to all citizens.

As India celebrates Diwali on Monday (Oct 20), Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his wishes on the festival of lights for the Hindu population of his country. “As homes and hearts are illuminated with the light of Diwali, may this festival dispel darkness, foster harmony, and guide us all toward a future of peace, compassion, and shared prosperity,” Sharif wrote on X. “The spirit of Diwali that embodies light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair inspires our collective resolve to overcome the challenges confronting our societies, from intolerance to inequality,” he added. Also, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on the occasion that the festival of Diwali “reminds us of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil”. As per a report by Radio Pakistan, Zardari noted that the country's constitution guaranteed equal rights and complete freedom of religion to all citizens.

As per a report by Radio Pakistan, Zardari noted that the country's constitution guaranteed equal rights and complete freedom of religion to all citizens.

‘May this festival...’: Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif extends Diwali message. Here’s what he said

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni led a demonstration and “purification” ritual at the Shaniwarwada fort of Pune, Maharashtra, on Sunday after a group of Muslim women offered namaz at the fort. Her move has attracted political backlash from Opposition parties, accusing her of attempting to polarise voters before local civic polls.&nbsp;The protest, which Kulkarni led, was organised by the Patit Pavan Sanghatna and other Hindu outfits. Along with protest, Kulkarni and her supporters cleaned the spot using gaumutra (cow urine) and also performed Shiv Vandana as part of the ritual, where Muslim women offered namaz, according to a report by The Indian Express.&nbsp;Before the protest, Kulkarni said in a post on social media platform X, “We will not allow ‘namaz’ in Shaniwarwada, the Hindu community has now become awakened…Chalo Shaniwarwada.” Speaking to The Indian Express, MP Medha Kulkarni said, “We performed Shiv Vandana and did purification of the spot where the namaz was offered…To protest against the incident and to ensure that Pune’s social harmony is not disturbed, the Sakal Hindu Samaj organised a protest and demanded police action in this matter.”&nbsp;When she was questioned whether the spot had become “impure” after performing prayers, she responded, “Shaniwarwada is an ASI protected historical monument. It is a symbol of Hindavi Swaraj set up by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We cannot allow anyone to offer namaz here. It is not a mosque.” She also referred the spot an “illegal religious structure” outside the fort. “If one wants to offer namaz in this manner, then Hindus should also be allowed to perform ‘aarti’ in masjids or in Taj Mahal,” she said.<h3>Opposition lashes out at BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni</h3>In response to the protest and purification ritual, Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lashed out at the BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni over her actions.&nbsp;“Some Muslim women offered prayers inside Shaniwarwada, after which some BJP members went there and ‘purified’ the spot with cow urine. These people should remember that even Mastani had stayed in Shaniwarwada. Kulkarni probably is not aware that Peshwe ‘sardars’ removed the flag of Hindavi Swaraj atop the Shaniwarwada and hoisted the Union Jack,” said Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant, The Indian Express reported.&nbsp;Objecting to the remarks of Kulkarni about the dargah near the site, Sawant also questioned, “When the Peshwas had no problem, what is her problem? What will she do with the air that touches the ‘dargah’ and then reaches her…Is she going to purify her nose as well?”&nbsp;Pune Congress chief Arvind Shinde announced that the party would soon stage a protest against the MP. “Ahead of the civic elections, this is nothing but an attempt to polarise the Hindu voters. BJP raises such issues deliberately ahead of elections. BJP wants people to react to such issues and galvanise Hindu voters,” Shinde added.&nbsp;He further added that the dargah located outside Shaniwarwada has been there “since the Peshwa era” and holds approval from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This incident unfolded days after Kulkarni halted a noisy Navratra event in Pune’s Kothrud area, an episode which also sparked public debate.

Along with protest, Kulkarni and her supporters also cleaned the spot using gaumutra (cow urine) and performed Shiv Vandana as part of the ritual, where Muslim women offered namaz.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni led a demonstration and “purification” ritual at the Shaniwarwada fort of Pune, Maharashtra, on Sunday after a group of Muslim women offered namaz at the fort. Her move has attracted political backlash from Opposition parties, accusing her of attempting to polarise voters before local civic polls. The protest, which Kulkarni led, was organised by the Patit Pavan Sanghatna and other Hindu outfits. Along with protest, Kulkarni and her supporters cleaned the spot using gaumutra (cow urine) and also performed Shiv Vandana as part of the ritual, where Muslim women offered namaz, according to a report by The Indian Express. Before the protest, Kulkarni said in a post on social media platform X, “We will not allow ‘namaz’ in Shaniwarwada, the Hindu community has now become awakened…Chalo Shaniwarwada.” Speaking to The Indian Express, MP Medha Kulkarni said, “We performed Shiv Vandana and did purification of the spot where the namaz was offered…To protest against the incident and to ensure that Pune’s social harmony is not disturbed, the Sakal Hindu Samaj organised a protest and demanded police action in this matter.” When she was questioned whether the spot had become “impure” after performing prayers, she responded, “Shaniwarwada is an ASI protected historical monument. It is a symbol of Hindavi Swaraj set up by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We cannot allow anyone to offer namaz here. It is not a mosque.” She also referred the spot an “illegal religious structure” outside the fort. “If one wants to offer namaz in this manner, then Hindus should also be allowed to perform ‘aarti’ in masjids or in Taj Mahal,” she said. Opposition lashes out at BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni In response to the protest and purification ritual, Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lashed out at the BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni over her actions. “Some Muslim women offered prayers inside Shaniwarwada, after which some BJP members went there and ‘purified’ the spot with cow urine. These people should remember that even Mastani had stayed in Shaniwarwada. Kulkarni probably is not aware that Peshwe ‘sardars’ removed the flag of Hindavi Swaraj atop the Shaniwarwada and hoisted the Union Jack,” said Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant, The Indian Express reported. Objecting to the remarks of Kulkarni about the dargah near the site, Sawant also questioned, “When the Peshwas had no problem, what is her problem? What will she do with the air that touches the ‘dargah’ and then reaches her…Is she going to purify her nose as well?” Pune Congress chief Arvind Shinde announced that the party would soon stage a protest against the MP. “Ahead of the civic elections, this is nothing but an attempt to polarise the Hindu voters. BJP raises such issues deliberately ahead of elections. BJP wants people to react to such issues and galvanise Hindu voters,” Shinde added. He further added that the dargah located outside Shaniwarwada has been there “since the Peshwa era” and holds approval from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This incident unfolded days after Kulkarni halted a noisy Navratra event in Pune’s Kothrud area, an episode which also sparked public debate.

Along with protest, Kulkarni and her supporters also cleaned the spot using gaumutra (cow urine) and performed Shiv Vandana as part of the ritual, where Muslim women offered namaz.

BJP's Medha Kulkarni ‘purifies’ spot at Pune’s Shaniwarwada fort where women offer namaz, calls it ‘not a mosque’

Looking for places to visit outside India this winter? Let's have a look at the top seven places around the world before you pack your bags and schedule your visit to make your winter magical.

Top 7 international destinations to make this winter absolutely enchanting

On Monday (October 20), a major disruption hit a range of widely-used online services, including Amazon's cloud platform AWS, Robinhood, Snapchat, and Perplexity AI. The issue, tracked by Downdetector, appeared to stem from AWS, which supports much of the internet's infrastructure. According to Downdetector, over 2,000 reports of AWS outages emerged across the United States, with users struggling to access a variety of apps and services. Even Amazon’s own platforms, such as Amazon.com, Prime Video, and Alexa, faced connectivity problems.&nbsp;Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, confirmed that the disruptions were directly linked to issues with AWS, which led to temporary interruptions in their operations. Other popular services also experienced sporadic outages, including Venmo, the peer-to-peer payments app from PayPal. AWS in a statement said, "We can confirm increased error rates and latencies for multiple AWS Services in the US-EAST-1 Region. This issue may also be affecting Case Creation through the AWS Support Center or the Support API. We are actively engaged and working to both mitigate the issue and understand root cause."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/louvre-from-a-medieval-fortress-to-the-world-s-most-iconic-museum-know-its-history-and-significance-1760940102282">Louvre: From a medieval fortress to the world’s most iconic museum. Know its history and significance</a>&nbsp;The ripple effect was widespread, affecting numerous platforms that depend on AWS, including Canvas by Instructure, Crunchyroll, Roblox, Whatnot, Rainbow Six Siege, Coinbase, Canva, Duolingo, Goodreads, Ring, The New York Times, Life360, Fortnite, Apple TV, Verizon, Chime, McDonald’s App, CollegeBoard, Wordle, and PUBG Battlegrounds.Although some platforms have started to recover, users continued to report issues well into the afternoon. As of now, Amazon has not issued an official statement on the cause or duration of the outage.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/are-chatbots-the-new-spiritual-gurus-how-ai-is-shaping-modern-worship-and-beyond-1760944885345">Are chatbots the new spiritual gurus? How AI is shaping modern worship&nbsp;and&nbsp;beyond</a><h2>Here is the list of sites, apps affected</h2>Amazon.com Prime Video Alexa Robinhood Snapchat Perplexity AI Venmo Canvas by Instructure Crunchyroll Roblox Whatnot Rainbow Six Siege Coinbase Canva Duolingo Goodreads Ring The New York Times Life360 Fortnite Apple TV Verizon Chime McDonald’s App CollegeBoard Wordle PUBG Battlegrounds

Massive AWS outage disrupts multiple popular apps, including Amazon. Check the whole list here

On Monday (October 20), a major disruption hit a range of widely-used online services, including Amazon's cloud platform AWS, Robinhood, Snapchat, and Perplexity AI. The issue, tracked by Downdetector, appeared to stem from AWS, which supports much of the internet's infrastructure. According to Downdetector, over 2,000 reports of AWS outages emerged across the United States, with users struggling to access a variety of apps and services. Even Amazon’s own platforms, such as Amazon.com, Prime Video, and Alexa, faced connectivity problems. Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, confirmed that the disruptions were directly linked to issues with AWS, which led to temporary interruptions in their operations. Other popular services also experienced sporadic outages, including Venmo, the peer-to-peer payments app from PayPal. AWS in a statement said, "We can confirm increased error rates and latencies for multiple AWS Services in the US-EAST-1 Region. This issue may also be affecting Case Creation through the AWS Support Center or the Support API. We are actively engaged and working to both mitigate the issue and understand root cause." Also Read: Louvre: From a medieval fortress to the world’s most iconic museum. Know its history and significance The ripple effect was widespread, affecting numerous platforms that depend on AWS, including Canvas by Instructure, Crunchyroll, Roblox, Whatnot, Rainbow Six Siege, Coinbase, Canva, Duolingo, Goodreads, Ring, The New York Times, Life360, Fortnite, Apple TV, Verizon, Chime, McDonald’s App, CollegeBoard, Wordle, and PUBG Battlegrounds. Although some platforms have started to recover, users continued to report issues well into the afternoon. As of now, Amazon has not issued an official statement on the cause or duration of the outage. Also Read: Are chatbots the new spiritual gurus? How AI is shaping modern worship and beyond Here is the list of sites, apps affected Amazon.com Prime Video Alexa Robinhood Snapchat Perplexity AI Venmo Canvas by Instructure Crunchyroll Roblox Whatnot Rainbow Six Siege Coinbase Canva Duolingo Goodreads Ring The New York Times Life360 Fortnite Apple TV Verizon Chime McDonald’s App CollegeBoard Wordle PUBG Battlegrounds

An AWS outage caused disruptions for major platforms like Amazon, Robinhood, Snapchat, Venmo, and more, with widespread connectivity issues reported

As artificial intelligence continues to infiltrate daily life, it's now making its mark on religious practices, offering guidance, support, and sometimes even becoming a spiritual middleman. In India and globally, AI chatbots like GitaGPT are providing virtual connections to divine teachings, influencing how people seek answers to life's deeper questions. As AI becomes more integrated into religious practices, it’s transforming how worshippers around the world engage with their faith. Hinduism, in particular, with its rich history of tangible representations of gods, is embracing AI in unique ways. AI versions of various deities, trained on Hindu scriptures, are gaining popularity, offering users a way to interact with gods like Krishna or Shiva through digital conversations. These bots not only provide wisdom but help bridge the gap for those who feel disconnected from traditional community-based worship.&nbsp;Religious institutions aren’t resisting the shift. In fact, major spiritual leaders like Sadhguru are incorporating AI into their apps and teachings. The growing acceptance of AI tools in spiritual practices is evident, with apps and platforms gaining millions of downloads in a short span. However, this transformation isn’t without its ethical challenges. There are concerns over how AI might misinterpret sacred teachings or offer advice that contradicts the beliefs of certain traditions. Instances have already occurred where chatbots have made controversial statements based on their AI programming, raising questions about the role of technology in religious practice.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/video-indian-man-dances-on-bangkok-road-abuses-crowd-threatens-cops-with-pistol-shaped-lighter-here-s-what-happened-next-1760872045853">VIDEO: Indian man dances on Bangkok road, abuses crowd, threatens cops with pistol-shaped lighter — Here’s what happened next</a>&nbsp;Moreover, the use of AI in religion could potentially alter the power dynamics between worshippers and religious leaders. AI chatbots, in their quest for offering scripture-based guidance, might unintentionally sideline human priests and spiritual teachers who traditionally provide personal insights and community support. AI’s growing role in religion also highlights broader societal issues, like the digital divide. In countries with lower technological literacy, there’s a risk that people may take AI's words as divine truth without the tools to critically question it. The bots' interpretations of sacred texts might reflect biases inherent in the creators' programming, leading to skewed religious views.&nbsp;Still, many worshippers appreciate the accessibility and convenience of AI-powered spiritual guides. They offer instant access to wisdom and religious teachings, creating a space for reflection and dialogue that might otherwise be unavailable, particularly for those without regular access to priests or temples. As AI continues to expand its reach into religious life, it’s clear that it’s not just a passing trend but a deepening fusion of tradition and technology. For some, these digital encounters with the divine are enriching their spiritual lives, while for others, it raises deeper questions about the intersection of faith, technology, and human authority.

Are chatbots the new spiritual gurus? How AI is shaping modern worship and beyond

As artificial intelligence continues to infiltrate daily life, it's now making its mark on religious practices, offering guidance, support, and sometimes even becoming a spiritual middleman. In India and globally, AI chatbots like GitaGPT are providing virtual connections to divine teachings, influencing how people seek answers to life's deeper questions. As AI becomes more integrated into religious practices, it’s transforming how worshippers around the world engage with their faith. Hinduism, in particular, with its rich history of tangible representations of gods, is embracing AI in unique ways. AI versions of various deities, trained on Hindu scriptures, are gaining popularity, offering users a way to interact with gods like Krishna or Shiva through digital conversations. These bots not only provide wisdom but help bridge the gap for those who feel disconnected from traditional community-based worship. Religious institutions aren’t resisting the shift. In fact, major spiritual leaders like Sadhguru are incorporating AI into their apps and teachings. The growing acceptance of AI tools in spiritual practices is evident, with apps and platforms gaining millions of downloads in a short span. However, this transformation isn’t without its ethical challenges. There are concerns over how AI might misinterpret sacred teachings or offer advice that contradicts the beliefs of certain traditions. Instances have already occurred where chatbots have made controversial statements based on their AI programming, raising questions about the role of technology in religious practice. Also Read: VIDEO: Indian man dances on Bangkok road, abuses crowd, threatens cops with pistol-shaped lighter — Here’s what happened next Moreover, the use of AI in religion could potentially alter the power dynamics between worshippers and religious leaders. AI chatbots, in their quest for offering scripture-based guidance, might unintentionally sideline human priests and spiritual teachers who traditionally provide personal insights and community support. AI’s growing role in religion also highlights broader societal issues, like the digital divide. In countries with lower technological literacy, there’s a risk that people may take AI's words as divine truth without the tools to critically question it. The bots' interpretations of sacred texts might reflect biases inherent in the creators' programming, leading to skewed religious views. Still, many worshippers appreciate the accessibility and convenience of AI-powered spiritual guides. They offer instant access to wisdom and religious teachings, creating a space for reflection and dialogue that might otherwise be unavailable, particularly for those without regular access to priests or temples. As AI continues to expand its reach into religious life, it’s clear that it’s not just a passing trend but a deepening fusion of tradition and technology. For some, these digital encounters with the divine are enriching their spiritual lives, while for others, it raises deeper questions about the intersection of faith, technology, and human authority.

AI-powered chatbots like GitaGPT are reshaping religious practices, offering spiritual guidance and even replacing human priests for some worshippers, especially in India

trending

Scientists discover shocking 'interstellar tunnel' linking our solar system to other stars

Real-life Vibranium? 5 materials in real world closer to Marvel's wonder metal

Is Moon hiding something beneath its surface? Strange flashes puzzle scientists

Scientists found remnants of 4.5 billion-year-old proto-earth deep inside earth

Earth has two moons? NASA confirms asteroid becomes earth's second moon

SkyWest 6469 returns to Omaha after cockpit comm failure sparks hijacking fears

For the first time, mosquitoes are found in THIS country following record heat

WATCH | Man drives car into White House security barrier; arrested

WATCH | Photographers capture rare red lightning over New Zealand's skies

Who’s contributing to Trump's $250M White House ballroom, and why?

Iran’s Ali Shamkhani defends daughter's 'western-style' wedding

Life on Mars? Study finds traces of life may still lie beneath Mars' icy surface

Delhi is world's most polluted city; Mumbai, Kolkata, Lahore, Karachi in top 10

Louvre burglary sparks outrage, critics blame 'diversity hires' for the 'theft of the decade'

The 7 windiest places on Earth you must know about

Singer slams 'unauthorised' use of song in 'King Trump' clip; White House trolls

Iran leader's aide faces backlash over daughter's hijab-free, lavish wedding

Shubhanshu Shukla shares breathtaking Diwali spectacle - India from space. Watch

Delhi Diwali fires break previous records: Firefighters douse over 400 fires

Trump says Ukraine 'could still win' the war, but adds ‘I don’t think they will’

Trump gives Hamas an ultimatum — obey the truce or be 'eradicated'

‘May this festival...’: Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif extends Diwali message

BJP's Medha Kulkarni ‘purifies’ spot at Pune’s fort where women offer namaz

Top 7 international destinations to make this winter absolutely enchanting

Massive AWS outage disrupts multiple popular apps. Check the whole list here

Are chatbots the new spiritual gurus? How AI is shaping modern worship & beyond