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The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has urged airlines and operators to treat passengers fairly in instances of flight delays and cancellations, particularly due to factors like fog and operational issues. The surge in air travel during the new year, especially for holiday trips, has led to an increase in complaints about flight disruptions. An official from the ministry stated that a senior aviation ministry official has advised all airlines and operators to ensure justice for passengers during sudden flight cancellations and delays. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also monitoring passenger complaints. During a meeting with senior…

Elon Musk has introduced the deployment of satellites for Starlink Direct-to-Phone service. Musk shared a video on X and announced, `First launch of Starlink Direct-to-Phone satellites.` Additionally, he reshared a post from 'SpaceX,' stating, `This will enable mobile phone connectivity worldwide. It's important to note that this system supports 7 MB per beam, and the beams have considerable coverage, making it a valuable solution for areas lacking cellular connectivity. However, it is not intended to compete significantly with existing terrestrial cellular networks.` SpaceX's post highlighted that the six Starlink satellites in this launch possess direct-to-cell capability, contributing to enhanced global…

New Delhi| Randhir Jaiswal has taken over the role of official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), succeeding Arindam Bagchi, who recently passed on the responsibility as he embarks on an overseas assignment. Bagchi, in a social media post, announced the transition, stating, `The baton passes on! Shri Randhir Jaiswal assumes charge as the Official Spokesperson of @MEAIndia as Shri Arindam Bagchi proceeds on overseas assignment.` During the final weekly press briefing on December 29, Bagchi expressed gratitude to the media, wished them a happy new year, and acknowledged that it marked his last briefing as the spokesperson.…

Venice is a floating city having a mini-renaissance Few places can lay claim to such a spectacular natural setting, untainted architectural heritage, or jaw-dropping main drag in the Grand Canal. Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. Venice sees the most crowds Jun–Aug when the weather is warm. The acqua alta, or periodic flooding that may cover the Piazza San Marco and other areas with ankle-deep water, comes between Nov–Mar. Feb–Mar is Carnival time when the city fills with partygoers in costume. It has…

The Punjab Government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kuantum Papers Ltd, marking a significant move to enhance water conservation and management efforts in the region. The agreement, formalized between the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Punjab, and the Hoshiarpur-based paper company, was witnessed by S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Minister for Soil and Water Conservation, Punjab. Underlining the commitment of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's administration to safeguarding natural resources, the Cabinet Minister emphasized that this pioneering collaboration with a private sector entity is unprecedented. The partnership entails the company's provision of support and financing…

Venezuela has agreed to supply crude oil to ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) in exchange for the outstanding dividend, according to Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain. The agreement follows the relaxation of US sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector in October, initially imposed in response to Maduro's contested 2018 re-election. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that India is open to purchasing Venezuelan oil, emphasizing the capability of Indian refineries to process the heavy oil from Venezuela. Puri expressed India's willingness to resume oil imports with nations not under sanctions. In 2020, India last imported Venezuelan crude due to US secondary sanctions. Venezuela,…

The Supreme Court has established a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to provide guidance to High Courts across the country when directing the personal appearance of government officials in court. The apex court emphasized the importance of refraining from making derogatory remarks about government officers' appearance, attire, etc., unless there is a violation of the dress code. It clarified that the personal presence of officers may be required in certain situations, such as evidence or summary proceedings, and suggested that if issues can be resolved through affidavits, personal appearance may not be necessary. The Supreme Court also recommended that officers should…

Indian stock indices continued their downward trend on Wednesday, marking the third consecutive session of losses in 2024. Profit booking, driven by concerns about high valuations, has been the primary factor behind the decline. The Sensex and Nifty were 0.4-0.5% lower compared to the previous session. Despite some challenges, including the Adani-Hindenburg episode and the Israel-Hamas conflict, the overall performance in 2023 was impressive, with Sensex and Nifty gaining 18-19% on a cumulative basis. Factors such as strong GDP growth forecasts, manageable inflation levels, political stability at the central government level, and indications that central banks globally have concluded monetary…

A study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis, reveals that tomato plants employ adaptive strategies to ration water during drought conditions. In response to drought, plant roots generate a water-repellent polymer called suberin, preventing water movement towards the leaves, where it would otherwise evaporate. While endodermal cells in the capillaries of some plants produce suberin, tomatoes produce it in exodermal cells below the root epidermis. The study, published in Nature Plants, elucidates the previously unknown function of exodermal suberin, demonstrating that it serves the same purpose as endodermal suberin. Without exodermal suberin, tomato plants exhibit reduced resilience…

Turkey has detained 33 individuals suspected of engaging in espionage activities on behalf of Israel's Mossad, according to Anadolu Agency, citing security sources. The arrests led to an investigation by the Istanbul prosecutor's office's Terrorism and Organised Crimes Investigation Bureau, focusing on espionage. The suspects are alleged to have been involved in activities such as reconnaissance, surveillance, assault, and abduction on behalf of Mossad. Simultaneous raids across 57 addresses in eight provinces resulted in the capture of the suspects, while search operations for the remaining 13 suspects are ongoing. The report did not provide information on the suspects or the…