Author: News Desk

England: English wines delivered a record-breaking performance at the International Wine Challenge (IWC), earning the highest percentage of gold medals per entry among all participating countries and further strengthening England’s status as a rising force in global winemaking. English wines secured 25 gold medals in 2026, marking a major increase from the 10 gold medals won in 2025. Industry experts described the achievement as evidence of the rapid development and improving quality of English wines over recent years. Sam Caporn, a wine master, said that several factors contributed to the success of English wines this year, including the increasing maturity…

Rio de Janeiro: Neymar has been included in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a decision that many local analysts and former footballers had considered unlikely just days earlier. The 34-year-old forward remains Brazil’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 79 goals, but has faced ongoing fitness struggles since suffering a torn ACL in his left knee in October 2023. Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti named Neymar in his 26-man squad alongside key attacking stars Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, both of whom were widely expected to be selected. Ancelotti, who took charge of the Brazilian national team in May 2025,…

Washington: Robots today are capable of assembling cars, performing surgeries, and managing cargo at airports. However, despite these advances, most robots still struggle with one of the most delicate manufacturing tasks, sewing fabric. As a result, nearly all clothing sold worldwide continues to be produced by hand, often by low-paid workers in Asia, even if sewing machines are used. Experts say fully automating garment production is extremely difficult because fabric must remain precisely aligned during motion. Cam Myers, founder and chief executive of California-based robotics company CreateMe, explains: “You have a problem if it’s sewing,” adding, “You have to keep…

Greenwich: Royal Observatory Greenwich has warned that growing dependence on AI systems capable of instantly answering questions and solving complex problems could negatively impact human intelligence, critical thinking, and curiosity. The observatory, one of the United Kingdom’s oldest scientific institutions dedicated to astronomy, stressed the importance of preserving human research, analytical thinking, and scientific exploration in an era increasingly shaped by advanced AI systems. Paddy Rodgers, Director of Royal Museums Greenwich, said the institution’s long scientific history highlights the value of human knowledge and discovery while also demonstrating the risks of becoming overly dependent on AI systems for information and…

Kathmandu: Kami Rita Sherpa, widely known as the ‘Everest Man,’ has extended his own world record for the highest number of ascents of Mount Everest after successfully reaching the summit for the 32nd time. The 56-year-old climber achieved the feat on May 17 while guiding clients to the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak as part of an expedition organised by 14 Peaks Expedition. On the same day, Lakpa Sherpa, known as the ‘Mountain Queen,’ also broke her own record for the most Everest ascents by a female climber after summiting the mountain for the 11th time. View this post on Instagram…

DR Congo: The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).” Despite the declaration, the UN health agency clarified that the outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, does not currently qualify as a pandemic-level emergency. According to the WHO, as of May 16, authorities had recorded 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed infections, and 246 suspected Ebola cases in Ituri province in eastern DRC. The outbreak has affected at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu. https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/2055879914620964932 The DRC…

Vienna: Bulgaria secured its first-ever victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 after singer Dara won the competition with her track Bangaranga. The 27-year-old performer delivered a historic moment for Bulgaria, marking the country’s maiden Eurovision triumph since joining the contest in 2005. Bulgaria had also been absent from the previous three editions of the competition before returning this year. Describing the song as ‘pop music with folklore bones,’ Dara’s energetic anthem drew inspiration from the traditional Bulgarian kukeri ritual, in which men travel through villages wearing furry outfits, bells, and animal masks in a ceremony believed to ward off…

DR Congo: The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has declared an Ebola outbreak in the eastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following hundreds of reported cases and dozens of deaths. According to the Africa CDC, around 246 cases and 65 deaths have been recorded, primarily in the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara. The agency stated that it is convening discussions with the governments of DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, and international partners to coordinate response measures and strengthen cross-border surveillance efforts. https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion/status/2055224717678682557 How Ebola spreads? Ebola was first identified in 1976 in what…

Massachusetts: A new study has found that wood burning is reintroducing lead pollution into the air of homes and local communities, raising fresh concerns about public health and air quality. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst conducted a systematic investigation after concerns emerged that harmful elements released from burning wood could pose risks to the public. Although lead was banned as an additive in petrol more than 25 years ago because of its severe neurotoxic effects, the study suggests wood smoke is now becoming another source of exposure. The research team analysed particle pollution samples collected from five suburban…

Bordeaux: A lockdown order imposed on a cruise ship affected by a norovirus outbreak has been lifted by French authorities after the vessel was held in Bordeaux for more than 24 hours. The Ambition, carrying mainly passengers from the UK and Ireland, was prevented from allowing passengers ashore after docking in Bordeaux on May 12, following reports of multiple gastrointestinal illness cases and the death of one passenger. Authorities later allowed passengers who were not showing symptoms to disembark, while those infected were instructed to remain isolated onboard. Norovirus is a highly contagious viral infection and one of the leading…