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NDTV
5 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
4,500-Year-Old Civilisation In Rajasthan Has Mythical River Saraswati Link
Deeg, Rajasthan: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed evidence of a civilisation dating back 4,500 years in Bahaj village of Deeg district, Rajasthan. The excavation, which began on January 10, 2024, has yielded several significant findings, including a 23-metre-deep paleo-channel which archaeologists are linking to the mythical Saraswati River, which is mentioned in the Rig Veda. This ancient river system likely supported early human settlements and connected Bahaj to the larger Saraswati basin culture. Over 800 artefacts have been unearthed in the excavation, including pottery, the oldest seals of Brahmi script, copper coins, Yajna Kund, Mauryan period sculptures, idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati, and tools made of bones. The excavation has revealed evidence of five different periods, including the Harappan post-period, the Mahabharata period, the Mauryan period, the Kushan period and the Gupta period. The recent findings suggest that the Braj region has been a centre of religious, cultural, and historical heritage. The excavation in Bahaj village reached a depth of about 23 meters, marking the deepest excavation ever conducted in Rajasthan to date. ASI site head Pawan Saraswat told NDTV the excavation uncovered an ancient river channel, or paleo channel, potentially linked to the Rigveda's Saraswati River. He said this water system likely supported early human settlements, connecting the Saraswati valley with the Mathura and Braj regions. According to the ASI team, the excavation also revealed Mahabharata-era layers with pottery and havan kunds, featuring rectangular and circular paintings and remains of fire rituals. The pottery matches descriptions of clothing and utensils from the Mahabharata period, officials said. Archaeologists believe that excavations at this site have yielded a statue dating back to 400 BC, which is believed to be the head of the Mauryan Mother Goddess. Mud walls and pillars of the Gupta architectural style, furnaces related to metallurgy, which indicated the use of raw materials of copper and iron. Tools made of bones, including needles, combs and moulds, have been found in this form for the first time in India. Other evidence found in the excavations includes terracotta statues of Shiva-Parvati, which are associated with the Shakti and Bhakti traditions. Conch shell bangles and semi-precious stone beads, which reflect the trade and beauty traditions of that period. More than 15 yajna kunds, which confirm the religious rituals of the Vedic and Uttarvedic periods. Apart from this, a human skeleton has also been found during the excavation, which has been sent to Israel for examination. The excavation offers a new direction to the understanding of the ancient history of not only Rajasthan but also the entire North India. The ASI has submitted a report to the Ministry of Culture, while the area is likely to be declared a National Archaeological Protected Area.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bicyclists upset at removal of Arizona Avenue protected bike lanes
WASHINGTON () — There's controversy in the District after the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) removed barriers from a bike lane in the Northwest neighborhood because it looked ugly. Bikers in the Palisades said it will make using Arizona Avenue more dangerous. DDOT said it's because neighbors don't like the way it looks, and it's not used much. Tariffs prompt uncertainty for many Vietnamese businesses owners in Northern Virginia The top half of Arizona Avenue was just repaved about two weeks ago, from Loughboro Road to Hawthorne Place. Orange cones now replace the bike lane's protected barriers. The bottom half to MacArthur Boulevard hasn't been repaved yet, so the protected bike lanes will remain until that construction starts. Protected bike lanes are a big reason Nathan Barbour ditched his car and bought a cargo bike. 'I was like, great. I take my son to school and back every day using the lane,' Barbour said. 'I do grocery shopping for our family of five up the lane every single — I'm on it daily.' But in testimony Tuesday, DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum said the protected bike lanes on Arizona Avenue from Loughboro Road to MacArthur Boulevard are going away. 'Today, it has very little usage because it doesn't take you anywhere. It takes you to a trailhead that is not bike accessible,' Kershbaum said. Neighbors disagree with that assessment. 'I use this every day, for exercise and for commuting with these awesome scooters,' said Willie Maiden. Immigrants and allies unite in DC to protest ICE raids and violence As Arizona Avenue gets resurfaced, the barriers aren't going to be replaced. 'The concrete blocks and flex posts are–I think there's very few people that are a fan of how those look aesthetically,' Kershbaum said. DDOT plans on painting five-foot-wide standard bike lanes in both directions. One will be along the curb on the north side and one adjacent to parked cars on the south side. Barbour isn't happy about the decision. 'You think I'm going to have my son ride up this bike lane with just paint? Paint isn't infrastructure. It doesn't protect anyone,' Barbour said. 'Aesthetics. There's no other reason given because there's no other impact of the lanes.' Tenants say church took down Pride decorations at DC apartment building Kershbaum said once the Capital Crescent Trail is done, which is more than a year off, they can revisit protected lanes on Arizona Avenue. Public comment can be filed in writing or by email by July 25 with the District Department of Transportation, Capital Planning Division, 250 M Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003, or by email to Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
'One Big Beautiful Bill' harms more than it helps, says Miami archbishop
The 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' passed in the U.S. House and is now in the Senate. Senators have a critical opportunity to reshape or amend some of the bill's provisions before moving it forward. Doing so is imperative, as the bill passed by the House contains real and substantial threats to the promotion of the common good and the protection of human life and dignity. Many across the political spectrum object to the bill's enormous spending, arguing it will add to the already unsustainable national debt. One of the most problematic areas is its doubling down on an enforcement-only approach to immigration, which needlessly adds to this debt. This sweeping legislation allocates $24 billion for immigration enforcement and $45 billion for detention — including the detention of families — a 400% increase from current funding levels, according to Dominican Life USA, which has broken down the immigration costs. It also proposes $100 million to expedite the removal of unaccompanied children. Additionally, the bill would impose prohibitive fees on immigrant families: $8,500 for family reunification with an unaccompanied child, $1,000 to request asylum, which does not exist now, and $550 for a work permit that must be renewed every six months. These draconian measures undermine both financial logic and moral responsibility. The administration has already effectively regained control of the border and is aggressively removing and deporting 'bad actors' — those who commit serious felonies after entering the country. However, as employers in agriculture, healthcare and service industries can attest, the majority of immigrants are honest, hardworking individuals who are simply seeking a better future for their families. Most undocumented immigrants are not criminals. Many have temporary protections, such as TPS (Temporary Protected Status), parole, or pending asylum applications. Some — including Haitians, Cubans, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans — entered under special humanitarian visas. Others arrived legally on student or visitor visas and later fell out of status by overstaying their visas. DREAMers, brought to the U.S. as children, have only been granted 'deferred departure' and still have no pathway to legal permanent residence. Rather than spend billions on mass deportation efforts targeting people who are already contributing positively to our nation, it would be both more financially prudent and morally just to halt enforcement-only policies and expand legal pathways to permanent status for non-criminal immigrants. The U.S. is currently facing labor shortages in many industries, including healthcare, services and agriculture. Removing immigrant workers will only worsen these shortages. While the administration enforces the laws, Congress makes the laws — and has the power to change them. Congress could revise the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' to be less expensive, more economically advantageous and better aligned with our values by eliminating wasteful spending on enforcement and including a stay on deportations of non-criminal immigrants. Otherwise, this legislation will fund a mass deportation campaign that could tear apart families, disrupt industrie, and undermine communities. Long-term residents with U.S.-citizen children — people who work, pay taxes and enrich our culture — will be forced out. That does not serve the long-term interests or moral foundations of our country. Thomas Wenski is the archbishop of Miami.
Daily Maverick
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
UK seeks to extend ban on bottom trawling fishing in English seas
The plan, which will be subject to a consultation with those in the marine and fisheries sector, would see bottom trawling – dragging large nets along the sea floor – banned across about 30,000 square km (11,600 square miles) of English seas covering 41 Marine Protected Areas, the government said. It said the move would protect vital marine habitats and support species such as lobster, clams, soft corals and langoustines. Currently there is a ban covering about 18,000 square km of English seabeds. 'Bottom trawling is damaging our precious marine wildlife and habitats,' Environment Minister Steve Reed said in a statement. 'Without urgent action, our oceans will be irreversibly destroyed.' The proposal coincides with the start of this week's United Nations Ocean Conference in France, which is seeking to get agreement for a treaty to protect the world's oceans and seabeds from overfishing and other human activities. On Sunday Prince William, the elder son of King Charles and heir to the throne, called on politicians and business leaders at an event in Monaco ahead of the UN conference to act 'while we still have the chance'. Meanwhile Attenborough, whose latest documentary film 'Ocean' on the issue was released last month, said he was appalled by what humans had done to 'the deep ocean floor', saying it was 'unspeakably awful'. 'If you did anything remotely like it on land, everybody would be up in arms,' Attenborough told William in an interview which was released by the prince's office on Saturday.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UK to announce plans to extend seabed trawling ban
LONDON: The UK will announce an extension of its ban on "destructive" seabed trawling to more than half of protected English seas at an UN Ocean Conference on Monday, its environment minister said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Tomorrow at the UN Ocean Conference in France, I'll announce the government's plans to ban bottom trawling across 41 protected areas of English seas spanning 30,000 square kilometres," or 11,600 square miles, environment minister Steve Reed wrote in the Observer newspaper on Sunday. There are currently 181 Marine Protected Areas, covering 93,000 square kilometres (km2), or 40 per cent of English waters. Around 18,000 km2 of those waters are currently protected, a number that would rise to 48,000 km2 under the government's plans. "This will help conserve vulnerable underwater life and allow the seabed to recover from the damage caused by this destructive practice," Reed wrote. He said bottom trawling, in which heavy nets are pulled along the seabed, was "destroying the most vulnerable areas of our oceans". "Our seas will be irreversibly damaged if we don't act urgently," he wrote. World leaders started gathering on the French Riviera on Sunday ahead of the summit to tackle a deepening crisis in the oceans driven by overfishing, climate change and pollution. The United Nations says oceans face an "emergency" and the leaders gathering in Nice will be under pressure to commit money and stronger protections for the seas and the people who depend on them.
