short story

A Holiday in Switzerland
The plane began its slow descent into Zurich, and Maya’s heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and disbelief. She had dreamed of Switzerland for years—its snow-capped peaks, serene lakes, and quaint little towns that looked like they belonged in storybooks. Now, after five years of saving and planning, she was finally here.
By Haris Khanabout a year ago in Earth
"The War of the Ring"
The Crown of Embers In the twilight of the Third Era, the land of Virelia stood on the brink of ruin. The ancient Crown of Embers, a relic forged in the heart of a dying star, had resurfaced after a thousand years. Said to grant immense power to the bearer, it had once plunged the world into an age of fire and shadow before being sealed away by the Seven Kings. Now, whispers spoke of its reawakening—carried by the wind through ash-covered forests and across ruined temples. The tyrant king Malgaroth, who ruled the Iron Realms of the north, sought the crown to cement his dominion and plunge Virelia into a second age of darkness. But not all bent the knee. In the quiet village of Elwen’s Hollow, hidden in the greenheart woods, a young mapmaker named Kael lived a peaceful life. He had never held a sword, nor ridden a griffin. But fate often finds the unlikeliest of heroes. One autumn morning, the wizard Alderan arrived—tall, robed in sapphire, and bearing grim news. “The Crown has been unearthed,” Alderan said, his eyes like storm clouds. “And its bearer will decide the fate of all free peoples. You, Kael, are bound to it by blood and fire.” Kael protested, but Alderan only smiled. “Greatness does not ask permission.” So began a journey that spanned mountains, rivers, and lost cities. Kael was not alone. With him traveled: Elya, a blade-dancer of the Windspire Elves, swift and silent, whose clan had been scattered by Malgaroth’s armies. Brondin, a gruff dwarf warrior with a battleaxe etched with runes and a heart kinder than he let on. Seren, a runaway healer of noble blood, who had once served in the tyrant’s court and now sought redemption. And Thorne, a ranger of the forgotten west, who trusted no one—least of all himself. They called themselves the Emberbound. Their task was not to wield the Crown, but to destroy it—by casting it into the Veilforge, a place where starlight met shadow and fire obeyed no law. Their road was harrowing. In the ruins of Valka Mora, they faced wraiths—souls of ancient kings twisted by centuries of madness. In the caverns of Gholgarath, Brondin nearly fell into darkness when a cursed stone tried to claim his soul. Yet each trial bound them closer, like steel hammered in flame. Kael changed, too. He learned to read the wind, to draw not just maps but runes of warding. He began to hear whispers from the Crown itself, for it had come into his possession after a battle with Malgaroth’s vanguard. It spoke of glory, of peace, of salvation—if only he would place it upon his brow. In the still of night, the others noticed the way Kael stared at the Crown too long. Elya confronted him beneath the moonlit trees. “You must not listen to it,” she warned. “It lies with beautiful voices.” Kael nodded, but fear gnawed at his heart. What if the only way to end the war was to use it—just once? As they neared the Veilforge, Malgaroth himself descended with his obsidian host, mounted on a dreadbeast blacker than night. The final battle raged in a valley of shattered stone and fire. Thorne fell defending the ridge. Seren used the last of her strength to shield Kael with a barrier of light. Brondin’s axe shattered, and he fought with bare hands. Kael stood at the edge of the chasm, the Crown burning in his hands. Behind him, Malgaroth strode forward, his eyes aflame.
By Arfooabout a year ago in Earth
UK military launches strikes against Houthis in Yemen, in joint operation with US.
In a significant escalation of Western military involvement in the Middle East, the United Kingdom has launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The operation, conducted in close coordination with the United States, marks one of the most forceful responses yet to the increasing threat posed by Houthi militants to international shipping routes in the Red Sea.
By Muhammad about a year ago in Earth
The first drone war opens a new chapter in India-Pakistan conflict
In the ever-evolving landscape of global warfare, South Asia has entered a new and ominous era. The India-Pakistan conflict, one of the world’s longest-running geopolitical tensions, has now been redefined by the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). What was once a battleground of soldiers and artillery is now witnessing the rise of drone warfare—a technological shift that is opening a dangerous new chapter in the region.
By Muhammad about a year ago in Earth
Global Warming: A Growing Threat to Our Plane. AI-Generated.
Global Warming: A Growing Threat to Our Planet One of the most pressing issues of the 21st century is global warming. It refers to the long-term rise in Earth's average surface temperature brought on by human activity, especially the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). The "greenhouse effect" caused by these gases disrupts the planet's natural climate systems by trapping heat in the atmosphere.
By Abid Sadifabout a year ago in Earth
New Research Unveils What Occurs When Donkeys Get High — A World Donkey Day Special
Each year on 8th May, the globe observes World Donkey Day in celebration of one of the least appreciated animals of agriculture — the humble, diligent donkey. The day puts the spotlight on their invaluable contributions to farming, transport, and rural economies, particularly in third-world countries. But in 2025, World Donkey Day brought something entirely unexpected — a viral scientific report on what happens when donkeys are high on cannabis.
By IC Glassabout a year ago in Earth
Why Is Blue So Rare In Nature?. AI-Generated.
There are no blue tigers. No blue bats, no blue squirrels, or blue dogs. Even blue whales aren’t that blue. Animals come in pretty much every color, but blue seems to be the rarest.
By taylor lindaniabout a year ago in Earth
The Pompeii Disaster Was Nothing Like We Imagined. AI-Generated.
You're walking through a bustling town near the Bay of Naples. It looks full of life, energy, and healthy food. Look at these flatbreads that might have been ancient pizza, no less. The people of Pompei are living their best lives. But all of that comes to a fiery halt in 79 CE. That's when Mount Vuvius, that unassuming mountain looming over the city, decides it's time to make history.
By taylor lindaniabout a year ago in Earth
Ten easy-care indoor plants that are ideal for novices
10 Easy-Care Indoor Plants That Are Great for Beginners Houseplants are a great way to introduce nature into your home, clean the air, and enhance your mental health. But some people fear they'll forget to water, not get enough light, or simply not have a "green thumb." Well, the good news is that there are a lot of houseplants that are extremely easy to maintain, so they're perfect for beginners.
By mukesh jaiswarabout a year ago in Earth
Israel security cabinet approves plan to 'capture' Gaza, official says
According to an Israeli official, a plan to expand Israel's military offensive against Hamas that includes the "capture" of Gaza and the holding of its territory has been approved by the security cabinet. Moving the 2.1 million Palestinians living in Gaza toward the south, which could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, is also said to be part of it. According to the official, it would accomplish the objectives of defeating Hamas and returning its remaining hostages, which is why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "good plan." A plan to deliver and distribute humanitarian aid through private businesses was also approved in principle by the cabinet. This would end a blockade that lasted two months and was blamed by the United Nations for severe food shortages.
By Showath Hosen about a year ago in Earth
Trump’s Trade War with Canada Backfired on America. AI-Generated.
Trump’s Trade War with Canada Backfired on America How tariffs intended to protect U.S. industry ended up hurting American businesses and straining a key alliance By Sujon The tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, imposed under the pretext of national security, were intended to reignite U.S. manufacturing, curb foreign dependency, and bolster American jobs when former President Donald Trump launched a trade war with Canada in 2018. However, the legacy of that trade war tells a different story—one in which U.S. businesses absorbed higher costs, export markets shrank, and North America's tightly integrated economies were thrown into disruption. The Spark That Lit the Fire Trump's use of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which permitted tariffs on imported steel (25%) and aluminum (10%) from important allies, including Canada, was at the center of the conflict. Despite strong opposition, the administration proceeded, citing national security risks, a claim that is widely contested by policymakers and economists. Canada promptly retaliated with dollar-for-dollar countermeasures on American commodities like lawn mowers, bourbon, and orange juice. Canada is the United States' top supplier of both materials and its second-largest trading partner overall. Both nations' businesses were shaken by the tit-for-tat escalations, which were widely criticized. Collateral Damage: American Business Rather than reviving American steel production or creating a wave of new jobs, the tariffs triggered a cascade of negative effects. U.S. manufacturers, particularly those reliant on Canadian metal—such as automotive, construction, and machinery firms—faced soaring input costs. This eroded profit margins and led some companies to delay investments or downsize. “Instead of punishing foreign producers, we ended up harming ourselves,” said one executive at a U.S.-based manufacturing firm. “The increasing costs made it harder to compete abroad and prompted us to hike prices at home.” Canadian retaliation severely damaged the agricultural industry, another important component of U.S. exports. Overnight, small farms and manufacturers of certain products, such as processed foods and maple syrup, saw a decline in their northern market. A Strain on Trade Relations The freshly negotiated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which took the place of NAFTA in 2020, was weakened by the trade war. Even if the arrangement eventually proceeded, the harm to trust persisted. In order to lessen their dependency on American imports and exports, Canadian companies and leaders started looking at diversification measures after voicing worries about the unpredictable nature of U.S. trade policy. A small but important change in the dynamics of North American commerce was brought about by this strategic turn, which was intended to improve relations with European and Asian markets. Canada’s Resilient Response Ironically, the war was good for certain Canadian industries. Local demand increased for domestic manufacturers of steel and aluminum, who were protected from U.S. competition by tariffs. The public's support for Canadian-made goods increased, supporting domestic industries even more. In order to make Canadian companies more competitive internationally, the crisis also expedited government initiatives to invest in supply chain innovation and resilience. Lessons from a Misguided Strategy The foundation of Trump's trade conflict with Canada was the idea that tariffs would restore industrial power and level the playing field for American workers. However, the truth turned out to be more nuanced. In the end, the program provided little value to the industries it was intended to safeguard, harmed ties with one of America's most dependable allies, and produced economic inefficiencies. The story serves as a warning as the United States continues to negotiate international competition: trade wars, especially those involving allies, can have unforeseen and long-lasting effects. It is difficult to replace long-standing business relationships, and punishing friends frequently results in self-harm. About the Author Sujon is a journalist and policy analyst specializing in international trade and economic policy.
By Sujon Sujonabout a year ago in Earth
99.999 percent of the ocean floor is unknown to us
More than 70 percent of the world is water, the rest is land in this universe. But we do not know about most of this water. Scientists say that about 99.999 percent of the deep sea floor has not been seen by humans yet. A study on this topic was recently published in the US Science Advances peer-reviewed journal.
By tanmoy nazmulabout a year ago in Earth