NewsBytes

Szalay wins Booker Prize for novel Flesh

David Szalay won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel 'Flesh' on Monday, becoming the first Hungarian-British author to win one of top awards in the English-speaking world. Written in spare prose — characterised by brevity and a lack of unnecessary detail — the book follows a man caught in a series of events beyond his control over decades. It charts his rise from a housing estate in Hungary to the mansions of London's super-rich. "A meditation on class, power, intimacy, migration and masculinity, Flesh is a compelling portrait of one man, and the formative experiences that can reverberate across a lifetime," organisers of the award ceremony in London said in a statement. In addition to the $67,000 prize for the winner, as well as a 2,500-pound awards to each of the shortlisted authors and translators, the writers also gain a boost in popularity and benefit from increased book sales.

ISRO nails air drop test for Gaganyaan mission

ISRO on Tuesday said it has successfully conducted an important test on main parachutes for the Gaganyaan Crew Module at the Babina Field Firing Range (BFFR) in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi on November 3. The Indian space agency said this test is part of the ongoing series of Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Tests (IMAT) for the qualification of the parachute system for the Gaganyaan mission. The Gaganyaan mission is India's first human spaceflight programme, aiming to send a three-member crew on a three-day mission to space and return them safely to Earth.

China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, enters service

The commissioning of China's latest aircraft carrier this week marks a new chapter in its military modernisation effort but security analysts and regional diplomats say tough challenges lie ahead before it can be made fully operational. President Xi Jinping attended the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian in Hainan province on Wednesday, and boarded the vessel for an inspection tour, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.

HPU, Punjabi University profs discover 3 new species of rock ant

A team of dedicated Indian myrmecologists -- Dr Joginder Rilta of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla, and Prof Himender Bharti of Punjabi University, Patiala, -- has discovered three new species of rock ant in the rich biodiversity of the Himalayan region. A myrmecologist is a scientist who studies ants. They are specialists in myrmecology, which is the branch of entomology concerned with the study of ants and their social behaviour, ecology and role in ecosystems. Mahavir Singh, Vice-Chancellor, HPU, said, “It is a proud moment for the HPU and Punjabi University that these scientists have discovered three new species of rock ant that were hitherto unknown to the science. These species were discovered in Arunachal Pradesh. It is very interesting to note that Temnothorax arunachalensis has been named after its type locality and Temnothorax boltoni has been named as regards Barry Bolton, a pioneer scientist in the field of ant classification, systematics and taxonomy. Temnothorax pangchenensis embodies the value of conservation in the survival of our planet. Pangchen, in the Monpa language, means free from all sins,” he added.