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Robotic elephants draw crowds and controversy in some of India’s Hindu temples

CHALAKUDY, India July 3, 2026 (AP) — The life-size robotic elephants in Prasanth Prakashan’s backyard workshop have ears that flap, tails that swish and trunks that squirt water. But that’s about all they have in common with their real-life counterparts revered across India as manifestations of the divine. The animatrons, crafted from fiberglass, iron and rubber, are intended to take the place of live elephants in Hindu temples. The change pleases animal welfare activists but upsets those who passionately believe real elephants are inextricable from the temple rituals and festivals where they are bestowed superstar status. The animal welfare group

Steam railway that travels through the Swiss Alps celebrates its 100th anniversary

REALP, Switzerland, July 3, 2026 (AP) — Train enthusiasts will celebrate the 100th anniversary of a historic Swiss railway this weekend as vintage steam locomotives ferry tourists through the stunning Alpine scenery as part of the celebration. The Furka Pass, at an altitude of 2,431 meters (7,976 feet), is among Switzerland’s highest Alpine passes and famous for its hairpin curves featured in the 1964 James Bond “Goldfinger” movie. But long before 007 actor Sean Connery filmed a harrowing car chase scene there, a steam train first traversed the steep and winding route in a continuous journey on July 3, 1926,

India allows four Chinese-linked power equipment firms to bid for government projects

NEW DELHI, July 3 (Reuters) – India has allowed four Chinese power equipment manufacturers with factories in the ​country to participate in government tenders ‌for critical power projects, according to a government order. TBEA Energy, Nanjing Electric India, New Northeast Electric India and ​Taikai Electric (India) will be allowed to ​participate in the tenders, the order from ⁠India’s Ministry of Finance dated June 24 ​and reviewed by Reuters said. India’s power ministry had ​sought the exemption in January for entities with manufacturing units in India involved in critical power projects, the ​document said. Reuters reported in January that India was

Stock markets surge in early trade; Sensex jumps 546 points

Mumbai, Jul 3 (PTI) Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surged in early trade on Friday amid a rally in IT stocks and a softer-than-expected US jobs data tempering expectations of near-term monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 545.89 points to 78,048.01 during initial trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty surged 173.85 points to 24,346.90. From the Sensex pack, HCL Tech, Bajaj Finserv, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Bharat Electronics and Tata Consultancy Services were among the major winners. Mahindra & Mahindra, State Bank of India, NTPC and InterGlobe Aviation were among the laggards. In Asian markets, South

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