Archaeologists have unearthed what is believed to be Europe’s oldest swastika during the excavations of a religious site at Altimir in Bulgaria. Experts say the swastika — found on the bottom of what appears to be a ritual drinking vessel — may be could be as old as 2,500 years, the Austrian Times reported. The swastika is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing form or its mirrored left-facing form. According to the newspaper, the symbol originated in India and central Asia and was considered a sign for spiritual good luck until it became the symbol of Germany’s Nazi regime in World War II. —PTI
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Machines in Moscow dish out caviar
New York, May 25: If you thought soda, candies and condoms were the only things that can pop out from a vending machine — think again — for vending machines serving caviar is the latest innovation. Russians can now grab jars of caviar in unexpected places such as the mayor’s office.
Thirty-three caviar-wielding vending machines have been installed in government offices and other public places across Moscow, according the maker of the machines.
The small red machines look like soda vending machines. It offers tins and glass jars of red salmon caviar at prices ranging from about $5-$21, the New York Daily News reports.
—ANI
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UK boys, 10, guilty of rape attempt
London, May 25: Two boys have been convicted of the attempted rape of an eight-year-old girl even though she admitted in court that she lied about her ordeal, a media report said on Tuesday. The defendants, who were both 10 at the time, are the youngest people ever to be convicted of the sex offence, Telegraph.Co.Uk reported.
Their case immediately provoked a debate over whether juveniles should appear in a crown court, either as defendants or witnesses, especially in a sex offence case where they may be too immature to understand the allegations involved. —IANS