Gunung Padang, a pyramid hidden within a hill on an island in West Java, Indonesia, could be the world’s oldest, says an interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, geophysicists and geologists. Sitting at the top of an extinct volcano, Gunung Padang is considered a sacred site by local people. Also known as “mountain of enlightenment,” it was declared a national cultural heritage site in 1998. Over the years, there have been disagreements among scholars about the nature of the hill. Some suggested that it was a man-made pyramid, while others argued it was a natural geological forma
The European Union on November 15 struck a deal on a law to tackle methane emissions from fossil fuels. Under the proposed law, coal, oil and gas companies would be required to report their methane emissions and take steps to avoid them. The measures under the first-of-its-kind law include finding and fixing leaks, and limiting wasteful practices such as venting and flaring gas by 2027. While methane possesses more than 80 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, it dissipates more quickly in the atmosphere. Reducing methane emissions is viewed as a cost-
Delhi’s annual butterfly census has documented 75 butterfly species in the city’s seven biodiversity parks. The census, conducted from 30 October to 4 November, recorded the first geographical record of the rare Blank Swift butterfly in the Aravalli Biodiversity Park. The Plain Tiger was the most frequently sighted species, with a count of 1,119 butterflies. Other species recorded in significant numbers included the Yellow Orange Tip, Lemon Pansy, Common Gull, Zebra Blue, Rounded Pierrot, Striped Tiger, Common Emigrant, and the Common Grass Yellow. Individuals of all five butterfly fam
On November 5, the Embassy of India in Riyadh hosted a distinctive event named ‘Samskritotsava.’ Conducted entirely in Sanskrit, the occasion aimed to acknowledge and appreciate the endeavours of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia for their role in preserving the language. This event was a component of ‘Pravasi Parichay.’ The event was conducted in association with Samskrita Bharati. As part of the programme, the Indian community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showcased various performances such as Abhinaya Gheetam, Gana Geetam, Subhashita Natakam, and Prachanna Vesham.
The largest Hindu BAPS temple in the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi next year. Union Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was on a visit to Abu Dhabi on November 2 paid a special visit to BAPS Hindu Mandir and took stock of the construction of the temple, which is scheduled to be completed in 2024. Swami Brahmavihari Das gave a tour of the temple site to the minister and briefed him about the progress of the construction. The first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi will come up on 55,000 square
On November 2, Rwanda declared that it will grant visa-free travel to all Africans, becoming the fourth nation on the continent to implement such a measure. This move by African nations is aimed at enhancing the free movement of people and trade, aspiring to rival Europe’s Schengen zone. President Paul Kagame made the announcement in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, where he pitched the potential of Africa as “a unified tourism destination” for a continent that still relies on 60% of its tourists from outside Africa, according to data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Afric
In its fourth year, the Mental Health Film Festival Singapore (MHFFS), themed ‘Present Continuous,’ is showcasing films at Leisure Park Kallang and The Projector in Singapore from November 4 to 12, 2023. The festival continues its mission of ‘deepening knowledge and fostering empathy.’ The cinematic gathering intertwines a presentation of seven international cinematic gems, 20 poignant short films created by passionate Singaporean youths, and valuable contributions from more than 20 renowned mental health and social service agencies. Beyond entertainment, the other objective of the
The Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission (RTM) on November 3 won the Global Responsible Tourism Award 2023 for promoting sustainable and women-inclusive initiatives. The state won the award instituted by the Responsible Tourism Partnership and International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) in the ‘Best for Local Sourcing - Craft and Food’ category. London-based ICRT selected the Kerala RTM as a joint winner along with Eswatini, the erstwhile Swaziland, a landlocked country in southern Africa, renowned for eco-friendly Ngwenya Glass. Kerala’s RTM was selected for the award for l
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore issued a warning on November 6, stating that individuals planning to visit Malaysia during the Deepavali holiday should anticipate “very heavy traffic” at both the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. Travellers are advised to account for additional waiting time for immigration clearance from November 9 to November 14, given the upcoming public holiday on November 12 and the year-end school holidays. ICA advises motorists to check the traffic conditions at both checkpoints on the Bukit Timah and Ayer Rajah expressways before em
On November 2, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) installed beehives along the India-Bangladesh border fence in West Bengal to deter incidents such as cutting the hedge for cattle smuggling and other crimes while also creating livelihood opportunities for the local population. The first-of-its-kind initiative has been launched by BSF’s 32nd battalion in the border areas of Nadia district. The force has partnered with the Union Ayush Ministry for this project, which has provided the border-guard force with the beehives and the necessary expertise to install them on the alloy-made smart