Archaeological investigations carried out on the sun-kissed coast of Ibiza ahead of construction work have revealed an object of great importance: an ancient 2-millennium-old wooden statue of the legendary hero Hercules. The 30 cm high statue was found about 7 meters underground inside an ancient waterlogged pit. Since organic materials such as wood decompose rapidly in the Mediterranean climate, there should have been no wood left after 2,000 years. However, there was no oxygen in this grain silo because it was left open to the rain and it had a muddy atmosphere after it was abandoned. This incredible discovery provides an extraordinary insight into the Roman time period when Ibiza was known as Ebusus and shows how strongly the spiritual or cultural aspects of Greco-Roman mythology influenced the lives of the ancient people on the island.

Archaeologists revealed super strong man Statue in a pit filled with water in ibiza

According to research published in Ancient Origins, archaeologists found the statue in a sealed water-filled pit, in the center of Fiji Town. The statue depicts a strong man with the recognizable lion skin on the left shoulder, typical of the hero Hercules. The size of the statue is about 30 centimeters high. Some leather fragments and plant remains were found along with the statue in the pit, suggesting that the pit served as a place for household waste or storage before being sealed.

How did the soil save the statue?

Underwater conditions for wood preservation in archaeological contexts are extremely rare and require unique ‘anaerobic’ (oxygen-free) conditions. According to organic matter conservation standards, some fungi and/or bacteria that normally destroy wood cannot grow in waterlogged conditions. The pit was sealed by layers of soil and water, and the wood was kept in a liquid, saturated state for 2,000 years, thus preserving its physical shape.

Evidence of Roman influence in Abusus

Ibiza, known to the Romans as Abusus, was an important link on Mediterranean shipping routes. After the Second Punic War, Abusus transitioned from Carthaginian to Roman influence. The existence of the statue of Hercules reflects the integration of Roman religion and the idolatry of heroes into the everyday life of the people of Abusus during the 1st or 2nd century BC.

High-tech treatment protecting Fiji’s 2,000-year-old discovery

At the present time, the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera (MAEF) is where the statue is located. To preserve the statue, a complex process must occur to replace the water in the wood cells with stabilizing agents such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), so that the wood does not shrink or disintegrate as it dries. It is necessary to protect the integrity of the statue before displaying it to the public.

Indian-origin BBC presenter Amol Rajan has said he is considering moving his family to India, citing “big, big problems” in England and concerns about the country’s future.Speaking on Giles Brandreth’s Rosebud Podcast, Rajan said he is “very concerned” about the direction of the UK and is re-evaluating whether it will be the right place for his four children to grow up.While he said England was still the best place for him “at the moment”, he questioned whether it remained a place “where history is being made”.India ‘where history is being made’Rajan compared the current mood of Britain to the rise of India, describing it as “exciting and energetic in a way that Britain doesn’t always feel”.He cited India’s young population, expanding workforce and rapidly changing economy as key drivers of that energy. He said he wants his children to spend time in India so they can experience that dynamism firsthand.Britain’s present compared with the influence of the pastRajan also reflected on Britain’s past, particularly the 1960s and 1970s, when it played a central role in global culture and politics. In comparison, he suggested that the UK lacked the same influence and momentum today.His comments come amid a broader debate about Britain’s economic challenges and global standing.Who is Amol Rajan?Born in Kolkata in 1983, Rajan moved to Britain in childhood and grew up in London. He became one of the most prominent journalists in the British media.He served as editor of The Independent at the age of just 29, becoming one of the youngest editors of a national newspaper in Britain. He later joined the BBC as its first media editor in 2016.He currently presents Radio 4’s Today program and hosts the long-running quiz show University Challenge. Rajan is married to academic Charlotte Faircloth, and the couple have four children.Net worth and salary detailsAccording to estimates, Amol Rajan’s net worth is between US$1 million to US$5 million (approximately Rs 8-40 crore).By 2025, his salary at the BBC, covering roles such as Radio 4’s Today program and the Amol Rajan interview, falls within the £315,000 to £319,999 band. This places him among the broadcaster’s highest-paid journalists.Hints at career change, wants better work-life balanceRajan also hinted that he may step back from demanding broadcasting roles, including early-morning shows, to explore opportunities in the digital sector. He said it has become difficult to balance the pace of traditional journalism with family life and hinted at a move towards a more flexible lifestyle.

Cricket season is not on screen in Kolkata. This extends to living rooms, terraces and restaurant tables, where evenings grow longer, plans rearrange themselves according to match time, and food becomes part of the ritual.

This year, the city’s eateries are leaning into that rhythm, creating menus that match the pace of a T20 game, fast, enjoyable and meant to be shared. But Corridor Bar and KitchenThe approach is fickle. Regional Indian flavors are being literally transformed into dumplings. Familiar dishes from across the country have been reimagined in bite-sized portions: butter chicken has been transformed into a rich, gravy-coated dumpling, Kolkata’s chingri malai curry has been transformed into prawn-filled parcels, and Lucknow galouti or Hyderabadi chicken 65 is getting a makeover inside a delicate wrapper. There’s an even sweeter twist with shrikhand-inspired dumplings. It’s the kind of menu that works seamlessly during a match, is easy to move around, quick to eat, and has enough variety to keep interest at the table between overs. Similar regional storytelling is prevalent Canteen Pub & GrubBut through pizza. Here, the toppings are double the geography, Delhi’s butter chicken, Kolkata’s chingri malai curry, Lucknow’s kebabs, all layered on a familiar crust. It’s entertaining, a little chaotic, and matches perfectly with the energy of a match night, where conversation flows seamlessly between cricket and food. Add live screenings into the mix, and the venue turns into a full-fledged fan zone. The rooftop cafes, meanwhile, are taking care of the menu as well as the atmosphere. But Cafe Offbeat Upthere, pavilion menu Built around global street food, nachos, tacos, skewers, burgers, pizza, designed for long meetings and shared tables. The idea is not to focus on one dish, but to create a flow of dishes that can keep up with the unpredictability of a game. Small plates arrive early, heavier options arrive as the innings begins and desserts close at night after the last ball. With larger screens and extended hours, the rooftop becomes less of a café and more of a casual viewing area. For those who don’t want to experiment mid-match, some places are doubling down on the comfort. But Biryani CanteenThe focus remains on familiarity. Their seasonal offerings revolve around biryani, mutton, chicken and regional variations – supported by classics like rezala, chaap and rogan josh. This is food that doesn’t demand attention, but is delivered continuously, allowing diners to stay connected to the game while sharing plates at the table. With live screenings and extended service hours, the experience feels closer to a house party than a date night. What stands out in these menus is the clear change in the way Kolkata eats during the cricket season. Formal meals have been left behind. In its place comes flexibility, menus designed for grazing, sharing and expanding after hours. Because here, the most memorable match moments aren’t just about what happens on the field. They also spread around the tables, over dumplings drenched in buttery chicken gravy, slices of overloaded pizza, or biryani served late at night – as the game moves towards its final, breathless overs.

With Indian markets lagging behind global competitors, many investors are rethinking how to invest fresh money. After setting aside a sufficient amount for domestic goals, the next question is: For example, how should the additional Rs 10 lakh be spread across overseas markets such as the US, China, Europe and other emerging economies? Over the past year, Indian stocks have lagged many major global markets. As of April 9, the S&P 500 gained 29.55%, the Hang Seng gained 25.27%, and the Dow Jones gained 21.70%. In comparison, the Nifty 50 index was up 4.86% and the Nifty 500 index was up 6.98%.
Diversification is key

Uttarakhand teachers seek relief from census, BLO duties (AI image used for representational purpose only)

Dehradun: Government school teachers in Uttarakhand have written to senior education officials seeking alternative arrangements while being deployed for census and booth-level officer (BLO) duties under the SIR exercise, warning that disengagement of teaching staff is severely disrupting classroom instruction, especially in schools operating with minimum staff.Teachers said their involvement in these additional duties, likely to continue for at least a year, could lead to prolonged gaps in teaching at a time when recovery of learning remains a priority. He has urged the department to make interim arrangements to ensure that students are not left without supervision or instruction during his absence. This concern is most acute in single-teacher schools, where any absence makes it impossible to fully care for students.In a letter, AK Gosain, a teacher from Sahaspur on the outskirts of Dehradun, wrote, “Since the undersigned is involved in teacher training and census work, a situation may arise where the school would need to remain closed for so many days.” In another school in Banjarwarla village in Dehradun district, which has around 200 students, there are six teachers, five have been assigned census and BLO duties. On April 11, the school principal wrote to senior officials seeking relief, saying, “For the sake of education of the students and smooth functioning of the school, I request you to please relieve at least two teachers from these duties.” Across the state, there were at least 3,000 single-teacher schools as of last year. The teachers said they are already engaged in several education department programmes, including census and BLO duties as well as the Pravesh Mahotsav and the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Comprehension and Numeracy (NIPUN). “Our promotions are on hold from 2025 following the orders of the apex court and transfers are also on hold due to the orders of the High Court. We are only demanding relief from BLO duty as it is not part of the right to education,” said Digambar Singh Negi, Chamoli district president of Uttaranchal State Primary Teachers Association. Dharmendra Rawat, Dehradun district president of the union, said that although teachers continue to perform the assigned duties, its impact on students is significant. “In single-teacher schools or schools with limited staff, students are being seriously impacted, which can have an impact on their future outcomes,” he said. When asked, Director of Education Deepti Singh said, “If such concerns are raised, the department informs the district election officers. However, it does not come under our purview to allot or transfer BLO duties.”

Zanai Bhosle remembered her memories and paid an emotional tribute to her grandmother Asha Bhosle after her demise. Posting an emotional video, he described the late legend as his “partner in crime” and best friend. Expressing deep grief, Zanai remembered their bond, urging fans to celebrate Asha Bhosle’s life with happiness, love and laughter, as she always did. Read further to know in detail.

The entire country is still in a state of mourning after the demise of the great singer. Asha Bhosle. Meanwhile, his granddaughter Zanai Bhosale has shared an emotional post on her social media. He reminisced about his memories with his beloved grandmother. Along with the video, she penned a note and called the late legend her “partner in crime.”“

zenai Bhosle Shared emotional post for Asha Bhosle

Today, Zanai Bhosle shared a Instagram Video of Asha Bhosle singing ‘Dil Cheez Kya Hai’ and looking lovingly at her granddaughter, who was wearing a saree. The caption of the post reads, “As I wake up this morning, I realize that I have lost my partner in crime, my best friend, the one person who completed my entire world and the first person to hold me when I was born. What do I do now? Who do I wake up in the morning to hug and drink tea with? Who will be waiting for me every day when I come home, or who should I make bad jokes with?”Her long note further read, “These are just a few things to remember her by, but for all those who have felt this loss with me, remember that she was and is the definition of life and laughter, so if you have to remember her then just remember her that way!!”Zanai said, “She is despising all of us, especially her family, and I believe she will come back to me very soon, because that’s what she promised me and always told me!!”The caption ends with, “I have lost the love of my life, and there is no greater sorrow in the world, so I urge you all to live life to the fullest and celebrate it that way and celebrate her life!! I love you, Ashai, and goodbye for now, my love.” I know that no matter what happens you will always be with me; Just waiting for you to come back to me and hug me once again. PS: This video is about a personal joke we had at every event we went to.“

More information about Asha Bhosle’s death

Famous singer of Indian music industry, Asha Bhosle breathed her last on April 12, 2026 at the age of 92. Reportedly, he died of multiple organ failure at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. Asha Tai, as the industry fondly calls her, was cremated with full state honors, wrapped in the Indian tricolor, at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park. Prominent personalities from the world of film, music and politics had come to pay their last respects to the great singer. Janai Bhosle was seen crying while many celebs including Ranveer Singh consoled her at the funeral.

The US state of Iowa is reportedly considering a new law that could change the way universities hire foreign workers, especially those on H-1B visas. The bill, House File 2513, has already passed the Iowa House and advanced into the Senate. If approved, it could impose new limits on hiring certain foreign nationals in higher education. According to a Newsweek report, the proposal comes at a time when many US states are reviewing the use of H-1B visas and considering hiring more local workers. The bill has sparked debate, with supporters citing safety and job concerns, while critics warn it could impact talent and fairness.

What is house file 2513?

House File 2513 is a proposed law intended to prevent institutions of higher education from entering into employment contracts with citizens of federally designated alien adversaries and state sponsors of terrorism who hold certain visas.The bill has already been approved by the Iowa House on a 68-27 vote and has advanced through Senate committees. Now it awaits further discussion in the Senate.

H-1B visa rules under proposal

House File 2513 The bill targets the use of H-1B visas, which allow U.S. employers to hire skilled foreign workers in specialized fields. Under House File 2513, public universities, community colleges and some private institutions in Iowa would not be allowed to offer new contracts to H-1B visa holders from certain countries.These countries include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela, which the US government lists as foreign adversaries or state sponsors of terrorism.

Why does the debate over H-1B visas matter?

The H-1B visa program is widely used by companies and individuals looking to work in fields such as technology, healthcare, and engineering. While the visa is temporary, it can also lead to permanent residence. Supporters of the bill say it is needed to reduce risks and prioritize American workers. Iowa Congressman Taylor Collins said the proposal was prompted by concerns about spying and job opportunities.However, the bill has faced criticism from academics and advocacy groups. Some argue that it unfairly targets people based on their nationality rather than their skills. Others have warned that this could lead to legal challenges and harm universities by limiting access to global talent.The House File 2513 bill has not yet received final approval in the Iowa Senate.