Preparations for Putin's visit to India are underway
Arrangements are currently underway for Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit India, according to Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Tens of thousands of Hindus gathered in Prayagraj on Monday to begin the Maha Kumbh Mela, a six-week festival attracting over 400 million visitors. Devotees immerse in the sacred rivers seeking absolution during the religious event held every 12 years.
Tens of thousands of Hindus braved freezing waters on Monday at the confluence of sacred rivers in Prayagraj, India, marking the start of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela festival. This religious event, held once every 12 years, is expected to draw over 400 million visitors from around the world, making it the largest human gathering on the planet.
With as many as 40,000 police officers providing security and surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence to monitor crowds, the authorities are preparing for an influx of visitors. The festival kicked off with the first ritual dip, attracting over 2.5 million people, followed by a "royal bath" reserved for ascetics on Tuesday. Participants believe these baths cleanse them of sins and offer salvation from the cycle of life and death.
Among the crowds, ascetic Hazari Lala Mishra expressed the deep significance of the event, saying it was a festival for hermits and monks. "We wait for it desperately," he added. Many attendees, like Priyanka Rajput, who visited with her spiritual mother, found the experience both exciting and overwhelming.
The origins of the Kumbh Mela trace back to Hindu mythology, where four drops of the nectar of immortality fell to Earth during a celestial battle, marking the festival's locations in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The Maha Kumbh, held once every 12 years, is particularly auspicious, drawing the largest crowds.
To manage the massive influx of people, authorities have set up a temporary city along the riverbanks, featuring 150,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, and 145,000 restrooms. Indian Railways has also increased train services to accommodate festivalgoers. With the festival representing both a religious and cultural celebration, it offers a test in crowd management for the Indian government, which is working to balance logistical efforts with maintaining the event's sacred significance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Hindu nationalist party governs Uttar Pradesh, praised the Kumbh Mela for embodying India’s spiritual heritage, emphasizing the festival’s importance in promoting faith and harmony.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots, monitoring a Chinese navy warship as it navigated Australian waters, were alerted to a live-fire exercise via a civilian radio broadcast, defense officials revealed on Tuesday.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing 2056 people and leaving 3,900 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
As the world shifts toward clean energy at an ever-accelerating pace, large economies are scrambling to secure reliable supply chains for rare earth minerals. These minerals, once seen as mere industrial components, have become a political tool in the global power struggle
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
The Kremlin stated that Russia and the U.S. are working on ideas for a peace settlement in Ukraine, despite U.S. President Trump expressing frustration with Putin. Trump threatened secondary tariffs on Russian oil if no ceasefire is reached.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Sweden announced its largest military aid package to Ukraine worth $1.6 billion to help Kyiv strengthen its position in peace talks. The package includes new equipment and financial donations for Ukraine's defense industry, with Sweden's total support since 2022 reaching 80 billion crowns.
Britain's King Charles is resuming public duties this week after a brief hospital visit due to side effects from his cancer treatment. Following a restful weekend, he is preparing for a regular working week at Windsor Castle, with some appointments rescheduled ahead of his state visit to Italy.
Thomas Lubanga, a convicted war criminal, has announced the formation of the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CPR) in eastern Congo's Ituri province, posing a new security threat as Congo's army faces advances by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.
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