Latest news with #clues
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Thiruvananthapuram Observatory logs shed new light on solar flare that rocked Earth in 1859
Researchers at Kerala University have unearthed vital historical data that sheds new light on the 1859 Carrington Event, one of most intense geomagnetic storms. Drawing from long-overlooked magnetic logs preserved at the historic Thiruvananthapuram Astronomical Observatory, the team has decoded hidden clues that could reshape the understanding of solar mega-storms and their future threat to modern civilisation. The Carrington Event, triggered by a colossal solar flare, slammed Earth's magnetosphere on September 2, 1859, unleashing global auroras and sparking unexplained surges in telegraph systems. While 19th-century technology endured the chaos, the scientists warn that a similar event today could cripple navigation systems, disrupt power grids, paralyse broadband networks and cellular communications, and trigger economic losses exceeding $1 trillion. Led by R. Jayakrishnan, the Observatory's Director, the university's research team analysed magnetic records made in the days before and after the 1859 solar outburst. Their findings, now published in the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) publication, Advances in Space Research, reveal that Thiruvananthapuram's logs, neglected for over a century, captured not only the main storm but also a precursor solar flare on August 28, 1859. 'Although documented historically, it (the earlier flare) was long overlooked due to its modest appearance. The new analysis reveals that the incident likely destabilised Earth's magnetic environment, effectively heightening the damage inflicted by the subsequent flare just days later,' Prof. Jayakrishnan explains. What distinguishes Thiruvananthapuram's records is the precision of its measurements. Magnetic data had been captured at intervals of 2, 3, and 5 minutes, contrasting Mumbai's Colaba Observatory which recorded data at 5-minute intervals only. These fine-grained analog observations are being digitised as part of an archival initiative supported by the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi. Prof. Jayakrishnan adds that the study reaffirms Kerala's historical role in advancing solar storm research. By applying modern modelling tools to legacy datasets, the researchers reconstructed how solar energy shaped Earth's magnetic fields over a century and a half ago. 'We are not just studying the past, but also preparing for tomorrow,' the principal investigator said. 'Mega-storms may be rare, but when they hit, they can upend modern life. Insights from Thiruvananthapuram are helping us anticipate such threats.'
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Time of India
Madrassa student found dead in hostel room
Bareilly: A 22-year-old madrassa student was found dead inside his hostel room here on Tuesday, with police launching an investigation into what they prima facie believe is a suicide case. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The deceased was identified as Mohammad Owais, a native of Bihar, who was pursuing an Aalimiyat course at the Centre of Islamic Studies Jamit-ur-Raza madrassa in the C B Ganj area, according to an official. Owais was staying in room number 87 of the hostel. When he did not come out of his room for an extended period, his fellow students, finding the door locked from inside, forced it open, only to find him lying unresponsive inside, according to the police. C B Ganj SHO Ashutosh said a police team, along with the circle officer, reached the spot after receiving the information. "The forensic team conducted a detailed inspection of the scene, collecting fingerprints and other vital evidence. The body has been sent for post-mortem," he said. Officials said the investigation is ongoing and further action will be taken after the postmortem report is received. The police said Owais' family members in Bihar have been informed and they are now on their way to Bareilly. The formal process of handing over the body and further questioning will begin once they arrive. The police said they are also questioning fellow students and madrassa staff to determine whether Owais had been under any stress in recent days. However, no clear motive or reason for suicide has emerged so far. Police officials said the incident, according to initial investigation, appears to be a case of suicide, but the exact cause will be confirmed only after the postmortem. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Investigators are also exploring the possibility of mental stress or family-related issues, the police said. Following the incident, fear and anxiety were visible on the faces of students at the madrassa and the faculty appeared deeply saddened. A teacher said, "Owais was a good student who mostly kept to himself." The police are examining all possible angles, including searching his room and mobile phone for clues. PTI
NDTV
11-07-2025
- General
- NDTV
Air India Crash Probe To Offer Peek Into Jet's Final Moments
A month after the worst aviation accident in India in decades, authorities are poised to release a preliminary report into the catastrophe, offering the first official clues to what caused the aircraft to plummet back to the ground just 30 seconds after taking off. Investigators have revealed very few details since the Air India accident, and the report also stands to be basic and factual - if previous initial findings are any guide. Authorities are unlikely to draw definitive conclusions or assign blame, as their work continues in the coming months to piece together a complicated puzzle of what happened on the Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner on June 12. What is known is that the aircraft, fully loaded with fuel, quickly lost altitude and slammed into a hostel for medical students, where it exploded, killing all but one of the 242 individuals on board and more than 30 people on the ground. The pilot issued one mayday alert before Flight AI 171 crashed in Ahmedabad. Videos that have circulated widely of the plane's takeoff and brief time in the air show that "everything is normal until they don't put in the (landing) gear, and very shortly after the aircraft is losing thrust," said Bjorn Fehrm, an aerospace analyst and former fighter pilot. What's unusual is that the power loss appears to be simultaneous in both engines - there's no puff of smoke that would indicate a bird strike, or yaw by the aircraft that would be typical if one engine failed first. The 787 Dreamliner and other commercial planes have more than enough power to complete a takeoff on a single engine, and pilots are well-prepared for that event. But as to scenarios where both engines power down simultaneously? "That's improbable like hell," Fehrm said. Some potential key factors have begun to emerge, despite a lack of briefings or updates from the local government or India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which is leading the probe. Both the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders were retrieved from the wreckage, and their content was extracted by Indian authorities. One particular line of inquiry is the movement of fuel control switches that sit in the center console of the cockpit, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke confidentially because the information isn't yet public. The devices are used to turn fuel supply on and off to two engines made by GE Aerospace. It remains unknown whether the pilots toggled the switches - either inadvertently or intentionally - and when during the flight the movement may have occurred. The detail was first reported by The Air Current, an aviation trade publication. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday preliminary findings indicated the fuel switches were turned off, though its unclear whether that was accidental or intentional and whether any effort was made to turn them back on, according to people familiar with the situation. A representative for GE Aerospace declined to comment. Boeing referred questions to the AAIB. The National Transportation Safety Board also referred questions to Indian authorities. India's air accident authority didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Aviation accidents are usually caused by multiple factors and investigators are exploring a wide range of aspects related to the crash. So far, investigators also haven't found any evidence that would suggest the crash was caused by a design or mechanical problem with the Boeing aircraft or the GE engines, according to the people familiar with the matter. They pointed to the fact that neither company, nor the US Federal Aviation Administration, has sent out any notices or safety bulletins to operators, which they said would normally occur quickly if an issue that could impact other 787s in operation was identified. The people conducting the probe are also looking at the backgrounds and experience of the pilots - a normal step for this kind of investigation. The aircraft was in the command of captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who had 8,200 and 1,100 flight hours, respectively, according to a statement from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It's widely assumed that the doomed 787 had a dual engine failure, especially after early evidence indicates that an emergency backup power source, known as the ram air turbine, was deployed. But restarting the engines at the low altitude and speed at which the 787 found itself just seconds after takeoff wasn't feasible, pilots say, meaning that the cockpit crew simply didn't have enough time to bring the engines back to life. John Cox, a former airline pilot who's now the chief executive officer of consultancy Safety Operating Systems, said that moving a switch to the cutoff position would shut off fuel supply to an engine. A dual failure would occur if the switches for both engines on the 787 were shifted. "If you move those switches from run to cutoff, those engines will stop running in literally seconds," Cox said. A deliberate moving of the switches can't be ruled out, he said. But there are also other possible scenarios, including that one engine failed and the pilot reached down to flip the switch for that engine, but instead shifted the switch for the good engine. It wouldn't be the first time this kind of mishap occurred - a Delta Air Lines Inc. pilot in the 1980s mistakenly cut off fuel to the engines of the Boeing 767 he was flying. But in that case, he was able to restart them because the aircraft was higher in the sky, avoiding catastrophe. Pilots may also move the fuel switches in response to a dual engine failure. An emergency checklist that pilots need to commit to memory instructs aviators to cycle the fuel switches to cutoff and then back to run in the event of such a failure. Moving the levers to cut off and back on allows the electronic engine control system to reset, according to several pilots who fly the airplane and spoke to Bloomberg.
What's On
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
7 spook-tastic haunted attractions in Dubai for all the chills and thrills
We'll be honest — we're absolutely not built for jump scares. But for those fearless thrill-seekers who laugh in the face of haunted halls and creepy encounters… how do you do it? If that's you, there are plenty of spine-tingling attractions in Dubai ready to test your nerves this summer. From eerie walkthroughs and immersive set-ups to live actors lurking in the shadows, these terrifying spots promise heart-pounding fun for the brave. Hysteria We would like to preface this by saying that after visiting this attraction you may end up peeking behind the shower curtain every time you enter the washroom in deep paranoia – don't come at us. Hysteria, located in Dubai Mall, is certainly not for the faint-hearted, but if you're up to the scares, it's good fun. It's priced at Dhs105 per person, and visitors under 16 are recommended not to enter. Book here. Insidious Escape Room This one is inspired by the wildly popular movie franchise and looks just as scary. You get 60 minutes inside the room to decipher the clues, solve the puzzles and get out. It's a great activity to do if you've got a bunch of horror-loving friends in tow. The attraction is only open to participants over the age of 15 and you'll need a minimum of two people to play the game. Book here. The Haunted Hotel The Haunted Hotel inside IMG Worlds of Adventure has been touted by many as insanely spooky and, to be frank, the description of what you can expect makes us want to get into bed and hide under the blanket (the ultimate protection from all things evil). The landscape of the hotel changes constantly as you try to find your way out through the maze of corridors, of course engaging in meet-cutes (sorry) with the spooky characters throughout. It's open to visitors aged 15 and above only. Make sure to carry your Emirates ID if you're below 18. Book here. Deep Dark Dubai If you can somehow function at full brain capacity while you're being chased with a machete, then this one's for you. The escape rooms of Deep Dark Dubai are housed in a villa and follow two themes – Paranormal and The Sinner. You and your gang must put your heads together and try to get out in 60 minutes. The rooms also feature live actors to keep you on your toes the whole time. Exciting or stressful? You decide. Book here. Haunted Activity Haunted Activity, the newest spooky story on the block opened its doors in January this year. There are two rooms you can explore in this game – Ouija and Jason's Home, with two more called Cemetery and The School, coming soon. You'll need a team of two to 10 brave friends to have a go at getting out in, wait for it…60 minutes. Fun. Book here. Horror Cinema Not one for the faint-hearted. At Dubai's first horror cinema, you will watch some of the best horror movies in cinema history, but.. you won't be alone. And no, we aren't talking about your seven mates sitting next to you in the cinema. Professional actors will pop up at the film's tensest moments, so hiding behind your hands won't save you. The cinema also features high-tech special effects, splashes, flashes and realistic sounds and your movie will of course be in full HD resolution. Prices start from Dhs180. At the moment, the cinema is screening The Ring , Insidious, Insidious 2 and Insidious: Chapter 3. Book here. BlackOut Escape Rooms Count us out of this one. The BlackOut Escape Rooms feature four different themed games to play, inspired by exorcisms, mental hospitals and Saw-esque torture techniques – all generally terrible things one tries to avoid. Every game has a different level of difficulty, but they all share elements like live actors, flashing lights and a lot of scares. Pull up your socks, put on your big boy pants and gather a crowd – safety in numbers, as they say. @blackoutbycave Images: Supplied/ Social Media > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
CID trio reunites for KFC's "epic" offer investigation
HighlightsIndia's beloved investigative trio from the iconic show CID, Shivaji Satam, Dayanand Shetty, and Narendra Gupta, reunite to explore a humorous promotional campaign from KFC featuring an offer of seven boneless chicken strips and two Hot and Crispy pieces for INR 299. The promotional video showcases Dayanand Shetty struggling with Gen Z slang and convinced that the KFC offer might be a scam, prompting Shivaji Satam to express skepticism and involve Narendra Gupta in their investigation. The narrative culminates in a humorous investigation at a KFC outlet, where the CID trio's signature line, 'ye toh scam hai!', is juxtaposed with the eventual confirmation from a KFC team member that the offer is indeed legitimate. India's beloved investigative trio from the iconic show CID, Shivaji Satam, Dayanand Shetty and Narendra Gupta, have reunited, not for a crime, but to investigate a rather "epic" deal from KFC. The campaign sees the actors reprise their roles as they delve into the mystery of KFC's offer: seven boneless chicken strips and two Hot and Crispy pieces for INR 299. The promotional video opens with Shetty grappling with Gen Z slang, convinced he's stumbled upon a scam. His associate, Satam, shares his skepticism, leading them to enlist Gupta for a full-blown investigation. The underlying suspicion is clear: an offer that seems too good to be true often is. Their inquiry takes them to a KFC outlet, where they engage in a humorous pursuit of clues, complete with intense questioning and their signature line, "ye toh scam hai!" The narrative builds on their established on-screen personas, portraying their characteristic suspicion and investigative zeal. The "case" is ultimately cracked by a KFC team member who confirms the legitimacy of the offer. The trio's disbelief gives way to relief, culminating in a celebratory moment as they partake in the dine-in exclusive. The campaign leverages the nostalgia and popularity of the CID cast, using their established roles to create a humorous and engaging narrative around KFC's promotional offer. Watch the video here:
