Trial of an alleged Islamic State terrorist who was member of a group that beheaded US hostages in Iraq and Syria began on Tuesday in the US. The group was known as "The Beatles" for their British accent.

El Shafee Elsheikh, 33, will stand trial in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, on charges including lethal hostage-taking and conspiracy to commit murder.

Elsheikh was one of four ISIS militants belonging to the four-member Islamic State cell. The cell garnered international attention after releasing videos of the murders of US&nbsp;journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig, among other victims.

Two of the cell's four members, Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey, were held in Iraq by the US&nbsp;military before being flown to the United States to face trial.

Mohammed Emwazi, a British citizen who oversaw the executions, died in a drone strike in 2015. Aine Lesley Davis, the fourth member of the group, was convicted in Turkey on terrorism charges and jailed.

Kotey pleaded guilty in September 2021 to the murders of Foley, Sotloff, Mueller and Kassig. He will be sentenced next month.

Kotey was a citizen of the United Kingdom, but the British government withdrew his citizenship.

The charges against Elsheikh, a UK citizen, carry a potential death sentence, but US&nbsp;prosecutors have advised British officials that they will not seek the death penalty against Elsheikh or Kotey.

US&nbsp;District Judge TS&nbsp;Ellis will oversee the trial, and is expected to spend Tuesday questioning potential jurors to ensure a fair trial.

Elsheikh's lawyers have said the killings were planned and carried out by Emwazi at the behest of Islamic State leadership.

(With inputs from agencies)

Trial of an alleged Islamic State terrorist who was member of a group that beheaded US hostages in Iraq and Syria began on Tuesday in the US. The group was known as "The Beatles" for their British accent.

Trial of an alleged Islamic State terrorist who was member of a group that beheaded US hostages in Iraq and Syria began on Tuesday in the US. The group was known as "The Beatles" for their British accent. El Shafee Elsheikh, 33, will stand trial in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, on charges including lethal hostage-taking and conspiracy to commit murder. Elsheikh was one of four ISIS militants belonging to the four-member Islamic State cell. The cell garnered international attention after releasing videos of the murders of US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig, among other victims. Two of the cell's four members, Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey, were held in Iraq by the US military before being flown to the United States to face trial. Mohammed Emwazi, a British citizen who oversaw the executions, died in a drone strike in 2015. Aine Lesley Davis, the fourth member of the group, was convicted in Turkey on terrorism charges and jailed. Kotey pleaded guilty in September 2021 to the murders of Foley, Sotloff, Mueller and Kassig. He will be sentenced next month. Kotey was a citizen of the United Kingdom, but the British government withdrew his citizenship. The charges against Elsheikh, a UK citizen, carry a potential death sentence, but US prosecutors have advised British officials that they will not seek the death penalty against Elsheikh or Kotey. US District Judge TS Ellis will oversee the trial, and is expected to spend Tuesday questioning potential jurors to ensure a fair trial. Elsheikh's lawyers have said the killings were planned and carried out by Emwazi at the behest of Islamic State leadership. (With inputs from agencies)

Member of Islamic State 'Beatles' cell stands trial in US

A human rights group has said in its report that its findings pointed towards the possibility that popular social media platform Facebook nudged users towards climate change denying content than that obtained from reliable sources. The group, named Global Witness, said that Facebook users who show an interest in climate skepticism are often nudged by the platform towards "increasingly extreme" climate misinformation by FB's algorithms.

"We simulated the user experience of an individual liking pages such as “Net Zero Watch”, an organisation countering climate policies and linked to the UK Conservative MP Steve Baker. We found that immediately after liking this page, the user was recommended “Climate Depot”, a US based outlet run by Marc Morano and part of CFACT, a group that calls human-induced climate change “a myth”" said the group in its press release.

"Facebook has repeatedly said it wants to combat climate disinformation on its platform, but our investigation shows how worryingly easy it is for its users to be led down a dangerous path that flies in the face of both science and reality. Facebook is not just a neutral online space where climate disinformation exists; it is quite literally putting such views in front of users eyes," said Mai Rosner, Digital Threats to Democracy Campaigner at Global Witness. Rosner was quoted in the press release.

After its findings, Global Witness has called on governments to make law to rein in Big Tech. The Big Tech companies, said Global Witness,&nbsp;had the power to "shape our realities in dangerous and divisive ways that threaten to derail progress toward tackling the greatest challenge our planet collectively faces".

A human rights group has said in its report that its findings pointed towards the possibility that popular social media platform Facebook nudged users towards climate change denying content than that obtained from reliable sources.

A human rights group has said in its report that its findings pointed towards the possibility that popular social media platform Facebook nudged users towards climate change denying content than that obtained from reliable sources. The group, named Global Witness, said that Facebook users who show an interest in climate skepticism are often nudged by the platform towards "increasingly extreme" climate misinformation by FB's algorithms. "We simulated the user experience of an individual liking pages such as “Net Zero Watch”, an organisation countering climate policies and linked to the UK Conservative MP Steve Baker. We found that immediately after liking this page, the user was recommended “Climate Depot”, a US based outlet run by Marc Morano and part of CFACT, a group that calls human-induced climate change “a myth”" said the group in its press release. "Facebook has repeatedly said it wants to combat climate disinformation on its platform, but our investigation shows how worryingly easy it is for its users to be led down a dangerous path that flies in the face of both science and reality. Facebook is not just a neutral online space where climate disinformation exists; it is quite literally putting such views in front of users eyes," said Mai Rosner, Digital Threats to Democracy Campaigner at Global Witness. Rosner was quoted in the press release. After its findings, Global Witness has called on governments to make law to rein in Big Tech. The Big Tech companies, said Global Witness, had the power to "shape our realities in dangerous and divisive ways that threaten to derail progress toward tackling the greatest challenge our planet collectively faces".

Facebook nudges climate-skeptics towards disinformation, says a study

United Nations on Wednesday named three human rights experts who will probe possible war crimes in Ukraine. Russia faces accusations of indiscriminate bombardment of civillians in Ukraine.

The independent panel will be led by Erik Mose of Norway and it will investigate alleged human rights abuses and also violations of international humanitarian law "in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation," a statement said.

Ukraine and the West have been alleging that Russian armed forces killed civillians by shelling and besieging cities, most notably Mariupol, the southern port. These allegations have been denied by Russia.

On the other side, video has been circulating on social media purporting to show Ukrainian forces mistreating captured Russian soldiers. Kyiv has said the images look fake but that it will punish perpetrators if found to be true.

The UN Human Rights Council has created the commission of inquiry for one year at the request of Ukraine and allies including the European Union, Britain and the United States.

Russia, which continues to call the invasion a 'special operation' to 'denazify' Ukraine, has opposed the probe

The United Nations also has fact-finding inquiries for war crimes in Syria, Myanmar and other conflicts. Their reports have been used to build cases for potential prosecutions.

Under the resolution on Ukraine adopted by the 47-member Geneva forum, the panel will interview witnesses and collect forensic material for any future legal proceedings.

It is to report initial findings in September.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

United Nations on Wednesday named three human rights experts who will probe possible war crimes in Ukraine. Russia faces accusations of indiscriminate bombardment of civillians in Ukraine.

United Nations on Wednesday named three human rights experts who will probe possible war crimes in Ukraine. Russia faces accusations of indiscriminate bombardment of civillians in Ukraine. The independent panel will be led by Erik Mose of Norway and it will investigate alleged human rights abuses and also violations of international humanitarian law "in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation," a statement said. Ukraine and the West have been alleging that Russian armed forces killed civillians by shelling and besieging cities, most notably Mariupol, the southern port. These allegations have been denied by Russia. On the other side, video has been circulating on social media purporting to show Ukrainian forces mistreating captured Russian soldiers. Kyiv has said the images look fake but that it will punish perpetrators if found to be true. The UN Human Rights Council has created the commission of inquiry for one year at the request of Ukraine and allies including the European Union, Britain and the United States. Russia, which continues to call the invasion a 'special operation' to 'denazify' Ukraine, has opposed the probe The United Nations also has fact-finding inquiries for war crimes in Syria, Myanmar and other conflicts. Their reports have been used to build cases for potential prosecutions. Under the resolution on Ukraine adopted by the 47-member Geneva forum, the panel will interview witnesses and collect forensic material for any future legal proceedings. It is to report initial findings in September. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine conflict: UN appoints human rights experts to investigate alleged war crimes

The United Nations reproductive health agency said on Wednesday that nearly half of all pregnancies in the world were unintended.

The agency said that out of 121 million unintended pregnancies every year, more than 60 per cent end in abortion, said United Nations Population Fund in new report.

The UNFPA said the report was not about "unwanted babies or happy accidents", but how a combination of gender inequality, poverty, sexual violence, and lack of access to contraception and abortion robbed women of "the most life-altering reproductive choice -- whether or not to become pregnant".

The war in Ukraine and other conflicts are expected to drive the "staggering" number of unintended pregnancies even higher as sexual violence increases and contraception access is disrupted, the report said.

"We have heard stories from pregnant women who knew that nutritionally they weren't going to be able to support their pregnancy" in Ukraine, UNFPA executive director Natalia Kanem said.

"There are also predators and traffickers and examples of people who are seeing the tragedy of war as an opportunity to target women and girls," she told AFP.

She said studies estimated that more than 20 percent of displaced women worldwide experience sexual violence -- "and I would bet that is under-reported because there is so much stigma around the issue."

While figures are still sparse a month into the Ukraine war, she said that the conflict in Afghanistan was expected to lead to 4.8 million unintended pregnancies by 2025.

And the Covid-19 crisis has also hugely disrupted healthcare and contraceptive supplies, leading to up to 1.4 million unintended pregnancies in the first year of the pandemic alone, the UNFPA said.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The United Nations reproductive health agency said on Wednesday that nearly half of all pregnancies in the world were unintended. The agency said that out of 121 million unintended pregnancies every year, more than 60 per cent end in abortion, said United Nations Population Fund in new report.

The United Nations reproductive health agency said on Wednesday that nearly half of all pregnancies in the world were unintended. The agency said that out of 121 million unintended pregnancies every year, more than 60 per cent end in abortion, said United Nations Population Fund in new report. The UNFPA said the report was not about "unwanted babies or happy accidents", but how a combination of gender inequality, poverty, sexual violence, and lack of access to contraception and abortion robbed women of "the most life-altering reproductive choice -- whether or not to become pregnant". The war in Ukraine and other conflicts are expected to drive the "staggering" number of unintended pregnancies even higher as sexual violence increases and contraception access is disrupted, the report said. "We have heard stories from pregnant women who knew that nutritionally they weren't going to be able to support their pregnancy" in Ukraine, UNFPA executive director Natalia Kanem said. "There are also predators and traffickers and examples of people who are seeing the tragedy of war as an opportunity to target women and girls," she told AFP. She said studies estimated that more than 20 percent of displaced women worldwide experience sexual violence -- "and I would bet that is under-reported because there is so much stigma around the issue." While figures are still sparse a month into the Ukraine war, she said that the conflict in Afghanistan was expected to lead to 4.8 million unintended pregnancies by 2025. And the Covid-19 crisis has also hugely disrupted healthcare and contraceptive supplies, leading to up to 1.4 million unintended pregnancies in the first year of the pandemic alone, the UNFPA said. (With inputs from agencies)

Nearly half of pregnancies in world unintended, access to contraceptives must improve: UN report

The White House has requested allocation of &nbsp;USD 26 billion for NASA in the year 2023. If passed, these funda will be USD 2 billion more than what NASA received in the current fiscal year.

The budget would enable NASA to fund Artemis moon landings, Earth science, address climate change, drive economic growth, and more as the agency aims to send people to Mars by 2040, NASA officials said.

"Greater than a number, statistic, or fact is what the President's budget request represents," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said, in a statement.

"This budget reflects the Biden-Harris Administration's confidence in the extraordinary workforce that makes NASA the best place to work in the federal government.

"It's an investment in the businesses and universities that partner with NASA in all 50 states and the good-paying jobs they are creating. It's a signal of support for our missions in a new era of exploration and discovery," Nelson said.

As per the proposed budget, USD 7.6 billion have been allocated for deep space exploration. &nbsp;Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and person of colour on the lunar surface, deepen the US' scientific understanding of the Moon, and test technologies that will prepare for human exploration of Mars.

About $4.7 billion is for Common Exploration Systems Development to support lunar missions which includes funding for the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS). The budget's $1.5 billion for astronaut Moon landers will enable NASA to increase competition in the development of the final mode of transportation needed to take astronauts to the lunar surface.

With $2.4 billion allocated for Earth-observing satellites and related research, the budget will increase NASA's Earth science funding for climate and weather monitoring and measurement.

NASA also aims to support commercial space activities. The budget's $1.4 billion for space technology research and development will support new technologies to help the US commercial space industry grow, enhance mission capabilities, create good-paying jobs, and reduce costs.

About $970 million has been allocated for aeronautics research. This includes $500 million to reduce aviation's climate impact through efforts including a Sustainable Flight National Partnership to develop a next-generation passenger aircraft.

With $150 million for the Office of STEM Engagement for education and engagement activities, this budget would allow NASA to enhance its support for educational activities, including those that focus on historically underserved communities.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The White House has requested allocation of USD 26 billion for NASA in the year 2023. If passed, these funda will be USD 2 billion more than what NASA received in the current fiscal year.

The White House has requested allocation of USD 26 billion for NASA in the year 2023. If passed, these funda will be USD 2 billion more than what NASA received in the current fiscal year. The budget would enable NASA to fund Artemis moon landings, Earth science, address climate change, drive economic growth, and more as the agency aims to send people to Mars by 2040, NASA officials said. "Greater than a number, statistic, or fact is what the President's budget request represents," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said, in a statement. "This budget reflects the Biden-Harris Administration's confidence in the extraordinary workforce that makes NASA the best place to work in the federal government. "It's an investment in the businesses and universities that partner with NASA in all 50 states and the good-paying jobs they are creating. It's a signal of support for our missions in a new era of exploration and discovery," Nelson said. As per the proposed budget, USD 7.6 billion have been allocated for deep space exploration. Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and person of colour on the lunar surface, deepen the US' scientific understanding of the Moon, and test technologies that will prepare for human exploration of Mars. About $4.7 billion is for Common Exploration Systems Development to support lunar missions which includes funding for the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS). The budget's $1.5 billion for astronaut Moon landers will enable NASA to increase competition in the development of the final mode of transportation needed to take astronauts to the lunar surface. With $2.4 billion allocated for Earth-observing satellites and related research, the budget will increase NASA's Earth science funding for climate and weather monitoring and measurement. NASA also aims to support commercial space activities. The budget's $1.4 billion for space technology research and development will support new technologies to help the US commercial space industry grow, enhance mission capabilities, create good-paying jobs, and reduce costs. About $970 million has been allocated for aeronautics research. This includes $500 million to reduce aviation's climate impact through efforts including a Sustainable Flight National Partnership to develop a next-generation passenger aircraft. With $150 million for the Office of STEM Engagement for education and engagement activities, this budget would allow NASA to enhance its support for educational activities, including those that focus on historically underserved communities. (With inputs from agencies)

White House proposes budget of USD 26 billion for NASA in 2023 

Saturn sure makes for a grand view in the night sky. After all, it is the only planet in our solar system with easily visible majestic rings. If you have seen Saturn through an everyday telescope, it's hard to miss the mesmerising beauty of the planet.

Saturn's rings are made of rock, ice and dust. It is estimated that the rings are 10 to 100 million years old. That might sound a lot but not much when we know&nbsp;dinosaurs roamed the Earth just 66 million years ago.

Saturn may flaunt its distinct look in the night sky today but the planet is losing its rings.

Imagine pointing your telescope at the sky and finding no difference between Saturn and other planets! Yes, that sounds sad.

Saturn is losing its rings due to what is being called 'ring rain'. No, there is no mysterious rain chipping away at the rings. Saturn is itself attracting the 'ring matter' which is falling towards it from the ring and vapourising. In other words, Saturn is eating away its own rings!

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/an-astronomer-has-created-video-on-saturns-spinning-rings-375558">An astronomer has created video on Saturn's spinning rings</a>

This destructive process was revealed to The Atlantic by astronomers. It is estimated that 10 tonnes of ring matter are falling into Saturn every second!

NASA's Cassini Mission has studied Saturn extensively.

We can heave a sigh of relief though. Saturn is unlikely to lose its grandeur during our lifetimes. At the current rate of degradation, it is estimated that the core of the ring would disappear in 100 million years and the rings will completely disappear in 300 million years. But it will be a sad moment indeed, whenever it comes.

Saturn sure makes for a grand view in the night sky. After all, it is the only planet in our solar system with easily visible majestic rings. If you have seen Saturn through an everyday telescope, it's hard to miss the mesmerising beauty of the planet.

Saturn sure makes for a grand view in the night sky. After all, it is the only planet in our solar system with easily visible majestic rings. If you have seen Saturn through an everyday telescope, it's hard to miss the mesmerising beauty of the planet. Saturn's rings are made of rock, ice and dust. It is estimated that the rings are 10 to 100 million years old. That might sound a lot but not much when we know dinosaurs roamed the Earth just 66 million years ago. Saturn may flaunt its distinct look in the night sky today but the planet is losing its rings. Imagine pointing your telescope at the sky and finding no difference between Saturn and other planets! Yes, that sounds sad. Saturn is losing its rings due to what is being called 'ring rain'. No, there is no mysterious rain chipping away at the rings. Saturn is itself attracting the 'ring matter' which is falling towards it from the ring and vapourising. In other words, Saturn is eating away its own rings! Also Read: An astronomer has created video on Saturn's spinning rings This destructive process was revealed to The Atlantic by astronomers. It is estimated that 10 tonnes of ring matter are falling into Saturn every second! NASA's Cassini Mission has studied Saturn extensively. We can heave a sigh of relief though. Saturn is unlikely to lose its grandeur during our lifetimes. At the current rate of degradation, it is estimated that the core of the ring would disappear in 100 million years and the rings will completely disappear in 300 million years. But it will be a sad moment indeed, whenever it comes.

Saturn is 'eating' its own rings, they may disappear altogether

It can not be denied that Bitcoin singlehandedly popularised the concept of cryptocurrency and huge rise in its prize since its inception means that Bitcoin mining is now a widespread endevour.

But mining Bitcoins requires one to have a large array of computers the computing power of which is then harnessed to tackle extremely complex cryptographic puzzles during the process of mining. These understandably consumes a lot of energy and leaves a huge carbon footprint.&nbsp;

Several environmental organisation have come together to launch a campaign that says a small tweak in Bitcoin mining method may considerably reduce the huge energy requirement and carbon footprint of the mining. The campaign 'Change the Code Not the Climate' has been launched by Environmental Working Group, Greenpeace USA and several other groups that are battling Bitcoin mining facilities.

The 'Proof of work', the software code that is used in Bitcoin mining.

Rival cryptocurrency Ethereum or Ether is planning a shift to another system called "proof of stake". It is believed that such a shift would bring the energy requirement to mine Ethereum down by 99 per cent.

The campaign launched by the environmental organisations is urging Bitcoin miners to take a similar step and help save the environment

It can not be denied that Bitcoin singlehandedly popularised the concept of cryptocurrency and huge rise in its prize since its inception means that Bitcoin mining is now a widespread endevour.

It can not be denied that Bitcoin singlehandedly popularised the concept of cryptocurrency and huge rise in its prize since its inception means that Bitcoin mining is now a widespread endevour. But mining Bitcoins requires one to have a large array of computers the computing power of which is then harnessed to tackle extremely complex cryptographic puzzles during the process of mining. These understandably consumes a lot of energy and leaves a huge carbon footprint. Several environmental organisation have come together to launch a campaign that says a small tweak in Bitcoin mining method may considerably reduce the huge energy requirement and carbon footprint of the mining. The campaign 'Change the Code Not the Climate' has been launched by Environmental Working Group, Greenpeace USA and several other groups that are battling Bitcoin mining facilities. The 'Proof of work', the software code that is used in Bitcoin mining. Rival cryptocurrency Ethereum or Ether is planning a shift to another system called "proof of stake". It is believed that such a shift would bring the energy requirement to mine Ethereum down by 99 per cent. The campaign launched by the environmental organisations is urging Bitcoin miners to take a similar step and help save the environment

Campaign pushes for change in Bitcoin mining method to save environment

USA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Sunday issued a warning on Sunday alerting everyone about G1-class geomagnetic storm or solar storm. This storm had a K-index of 5. This, said the alert,&nbsp;may have caused Aurora borealis to be visible from few states in the US.

What are auroras?

Our Sun constantly gives out a stream of highly charged, magnetic particles. Solar storms refer to Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). In the case of a solar storm, a flood of magnetic particles travels in the direction of our planet.&nbsp;

Our Earth's atmosphere protects us from harmful effects of these magnetic particles emitted by the Sun. But these particles are able to interact with magnetic field of the Earth. This interaction results in what is visible from the surface of the Earth as aurora.

Though the NOAA gave an alert about the strong solar storm, NASA and NOAA differed in their predictions as to when the storm would impact the Earth.

“Fast Hit or Slow? An Earth-directed #solarstorm is on its way to Earth, but NASA &amp; NOAA predictions disagree on impact time. NASA says the impact will be near midnight on March 28, but NOAA believes 18 hours earlier. Either way #aurora could reach to mid-latitudes!" tweeted popular space weather forecaster Dr Tamitha Skov a few days ago.

USA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Sunday issued a warning on Sunday alerting everyone about G1-class geomagnetic storm or solar storm.

USA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Sunday issued a warning on Sunday alerting everyone about G1-class geomagnetic storm or solar storm. This storm had a K-index of 5. This, said the alert, may have caused Aurora borealis to be visible from few states in the US. What are auroras? Our Sun constantly gives out a stream of highly charged, magnetic particles. Solar storms refer to Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). In the case of a solar storm, a flood of magnetic particles travels in the direction of our planet. Our Earth's atmosphere protects us from harmful effects of these magnetic particles emitted by the Sun. But these particles are able to interact with magnetic field of the Earth. This interaction results in what is visible from the surface of the Earth as aurora. Though the NOAA gave an alert about the strong solar storm, NASA and NOAA differed in their predictions as to when the storm would impact the Earth. “Fast Hit or Slow? An Earth-directed #solarstorm is on its way to Earth, but NASA & NOAA predictions disagree on impact time. NASA says the impact will be near midnight on March 28, but NOAA believes 18 hours earlier. Either way #aurora could reach to mid-latitudes!" tweeted popular space weather forecaster Dr Tamitha Skov a few days ago.

A solar storm may have caused auroras in the US

The word 'supernova' means blast of a star. It occurs as the star dies. The process is quite violent. But a particular star is confusing scientists because it is literally forming rings around itself. The star is dying and its behaviour has made scientists question their own knowledge about death of a star.

The star in question is V Hydrae (V Hya). It is a carbon-rich red giant star. V hya is located in Hydra constellation about 1300 light years away from Earth.&nbsp;

This star is classified in the category of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Scientists are often curious about V Hydrae as it emits plasma in space every eight years.

In addition to this, the star is emitting stellar material every few hundred years and this is forming rings around the star.

A group of scientists have studied the star and published the study in the Astrophysical Journal.

"This is the first and only time that a series of expanding rings has been seen around a star that is in its death throes — a series of expanding 'smoke rings' that we have calculated are being blown every few hundred years. We have caught this dying star in the process of shedding its atmosphere — ultimately most of its mass — which is something that most late-stage red giant stars do. But much to our surprise, we have found that the matter, in this case, is being expelled as a series of rings," says Mark Morris, co-author of the study.

The researchers made use of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Hubble Space Telescope.

The word 'supernova' means blast of a star. It occurs as the star dies. The process is quite violent. But a particular star is confusing scientists because it is literally forming rings around itself.

The word 'supernova' means blast of a star. It occurs as the star dies. The process is quite violent. But a particular star is confusing scientists because it is literally forming rings around itself. The star is dying and its behaviour has made scientists question their own knowledge about death of a star. The star in question is V Hydrae (V Hya). It is a carbon-rich red giant star. V hya is located in Hydra constellation about 1300 light years away from Earth. This star is classified in the category of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Scientists are often curious about V Hydrae as it emits plasma in space every eight years. In addition to this, the star is emitting stellar material every few hundred years and this is forming rings around the star. A group of scientists have studied the star and published the study in the Astrophysical Journal. "This is the first and only time that a series of expanding rings has been seen around a star that is in its death throes — a series of expanding 'smoke rings' that we have calculated are being blown every few hundred years. We have caught this dying star in the process of shedding its atmosphere — ultimately most of its mass — which is something that most late-stage red giant stars do. But much to our surprise, we have found that the matter, in this case, is being expelled as a series of rings," says Mark Morris, co-author of the study. The researchers made use of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Hubble Space Telescope.

A dying star is forming rings around itself, confusing scientists

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday eased its COVID-19 travel advisory for India. The CDC changed risk level from Level 3 (high risk) to Level 1 ( low risk). A statement has been&nbsp;released to this effect.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice due to COVID-19, indicating a low level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine," the US department of state said in a statement.

"Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC`s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers," the statement added.

While giving key information for travellers to India, the CDC said, "Make sure you are vaccinated and up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travelling to India. Even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you may still be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19. Anyone 2 years or older should properly wear a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces. Follow all requirements and recommendations in India."

CDC uses Travel Health Notices (THNs) to alert travellers and other audiences to health threats around the world and advise on how to protect themselves.

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday eased its COVID-19 travel advisory for India. The CDC changed risk level from Level 3 (high risk) to Level 1 ( low risk).

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday eased its COVID-19 travel advisory for India. The CDC changed risk level from Level 3 (high risk) to Level 1 ( low risk). A statement has been released to this effect. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice due to COVID-19, indicating a low level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine," the US department of state said in a statement. "Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC`s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers," the statement added. While giving key information for travellers to India, the CDC said, "Make sure you are vaccinated and up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travelling to India. Even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you may still be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19. Anyone 2 years or older should properly wear a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces. Follow all requirements and recommendations in India." CDC uses Travel Health Notices (THNs) to alert travellers and other audiences to health threats around the world and advise on how to protect themselves.

COVID-19: US CDC eases travel advisory for India

A massive fire has broken out in India's Sariska Tiger Reserve in the state of Rajasthan. Officials have been quoted by news agency PTI to say that cause of the fire was unknown. The blaze erupted on Monday (March 28) evening.

Forest officials said that Tiger movement in the area has been affected by the fire.

Massive effort is on to douse the fire. Officials have said that around 150-200 people including the forest staff are trying to extinguish the flames.

"Villagers residing in the periphery of the fire-affected area have been asked to move to safety," the official said. The official was quoted by PTI.

Indian Army and Air Force have also joined the effort. Two air force&nbsp;helicopters are helping the forest staff fight the flames.

"At the behest of Alwar Dist admin to help control the spread of fire over large areas of #SariskaTigerReserve, Indian Air Force has deployed two Mi 17 V5 heptrs to undertake #BambiBucket ops. Fire Fighting Operations are underway since early morning today," tweeted Indian Air Force.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
At the behest of Alwar Dist admin to help control the spread of fire over large areas of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SariskaTigerReserve?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SariskaTigerReserve</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IAF_MCC</a> has deployed two Mi 17 V5 heptrs to undertake <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BambiBucket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BambiBucket</a> ops. 
 
Fire Fighting Operations are underway since early morning today.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#आपत्सुमित्रम</a> <a href="https://t.co/HhGEHsdYrS">pic.twitter.com/HhGEHsdYrS</a>
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1508754412201975811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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(More to follow) 
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A massive fire has broken out in India's Sariska Tiger Reserve in the state of Rajasthan. Officials have been quoted by news agency PTI to say that cause of the fire was unknown.

A massive fire has broken out in India's Sariska Tiger Reserve in the state of Rajasthan. Officials have been quoted by news agency PTI to say that cause of the fire was unknown. The blaze erupted on Monday (March 28) evening. Forest officials said that Tiger movement in the area has been affected by the fire. Massive effort is on to douse the fire. Officials have said that around 150-200 people including the forest staff are trying to extinguish the flames. "Villagers residing in the periphery of the fire-affected area have been asked to move to safety," the official said. The official was quoted by PTI. Indian Army and Air Force have also joined the effort. Two air force helicopters are helping the forest staff fight the flames. "At the behest of Alwar Dist admin to help control the spread of fire over large areas of #SariskaTigerReserve, Indian Air Force has deployed two Mi 17 V5 heptrs to undertake #BambiBucket ops. Fire Fighting Operations are underway since early morning today," tweeted Indian Air Force. At the behest of Alwar Dist admin to help control the spread of fire over large areas of #SariskaTigerReserve, @IAF_MCC has deployed two Mi 17 V5 heptrs to undertake #BambiBucket ops. Fire Fighting Operations are underway since early morning today.#आपत्सुमित्रम pic.twitter.com/HhGEHsdYrS — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 29, 2022 × (More to follow)

Indian Air Force called to battle massive fire in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

The concept of the spacewalk is fascinating, to say the least. Yes, its less of a walk and more of 'space-floating'. The idea of being outside the protective spacecraft with almost nothing between you and the stars is surreal to imagine. There is an element of thrill as well. There have been enough movies showing the tether connecting the astronaut and the spacecraft snapping and the hapless bro (or sis) doing all they can to prevent being drifted into unending space.

Till now we had to rely on videos shot by space agencies of astronauts as they spacewalked. It's almost unimaginable to look up from Earth and see astronauts doing their thing.

But a fascinating new development has enabled us to take a 'human's-eye view' of the recently concluded spacewalk.

On March 23, NASA astronaut Raja Chari and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer conducted a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS). The spacewalk lasted for 7 hours during which the astronauts performed maintenance work at the ISS.

An astrophotographer has captured what he says is a "once in a lifetime" photo of this spacewalk. He was on Earth, and incidentally in Maurer's hometown in Germany.

"Yesterday I witnessed the #spacewalk shortly after sunset. Here comes a first photo. #ESA #astronaut Matthias Maurer was just 'climbing' at this moment. The rod-shaped structure (Canadarm2) is the robot arm. Greetings from Matthias Maurer's hometown — it was very exciting. #iss," Dr Sebastian Voltmer, the astrophotographer tweeted.

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Yesterday I witnessed the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/spacewalk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#spacewalk</a> shortly after sunset. Here comes a first photo. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ESA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/astronaut?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#astronaut</a> Matthias Maurer was just "climbing" at this moment. 
The rod-shaped structure (Canadarm2) is the robot arm. 
Greetings from Matthias Maurers hometown - it was very exciting. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iss?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iss</a> <a href="https://t.co/39Q7YlG64u">pic.twitter.com/39Q7YlG64u</a>
— Dr. Sebastian Voltmer (@SeVoSpace) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeVoSpace/status/1506912147737088002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Voltmer used Celestron 11-inch EdgeHD telescope on a GM2000 HPS mount and an ASI290 planetary camera to get the shot, as per his e-mail to Space.com

Voltmer analysed the photo and in an updated, indicated the positions of both astronauts.

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Update: 2 Spacewalkers Imaged From The Ground 
 
During the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/spacewalk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#spacewalk</a> of the two astronauts <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Raja?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Raja</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/astro_matthias?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@astro_matthias</a> the International Space Station appeared shortly after sunset in the bright evening sky over Germany. This image of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISS</a> was taken on March 23, 2022. <a href="https://t.co/xkKJtSoZFc">pic.twitter.com/xkKJtSoZFc</a>
— Dr. Sebastian Voltmer (@SeVoSpace) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeVoSpace/status/1508239974893768712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"It's probably the first ground-based picture showing two spacewalkers on the ISS at the same time." he told spaceweather.com

The photos certainly don't show both astronauts discernibly but to point you camera at the sky and clicking image of spacewalking astronauts with clarity of this degree is a feat indeed! 
&nbsp;

The concept of the spacewalk is fascinating, to say the least. Yes, its less of a walk and more of 'space-floating'. The idea of being outside the protective spacecraft with almost nothing between you and the stars is surreal to imagine.

The concept of the spacewalk is fascinating, to say the least. Yes, its less of a walk and more of 'space-floating'. The idea of being outside the protective spacecraft with almost nothing between you and the stars is surreal to imagine. There is an element of thrill as well. There have been enough movies showing the tether connecting the astronaut and the spacecraft snapping and the hapless bro (or sis) doing all they can to prevent being drifted into unending space. Till now we had to rely on videos shot by space agencies of astronauts as they spacewalked. It's almost unimaginable to look up from Earth and see astronauts doing their thing. But a fascinating new development has enabled us to take a 'human's-eye view' of the recently concluded spacewalk. On March 23, NASA astronaut Raja Chari and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer conducted a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS). The spacewalk lasted for 7 hours during which the astronauts performed maintenance work at the ISS. An astrophotographer has captured what he says is a "once in a lifetime" photo of this spacewalk. He was on Earth, and incidentally in Maurer's hometown in Germany. "Yesterday I witnessed the #spacewalk shortly after sunset. Here comes a first photo. #ESA #astronaut Matthias Maurer was just 'climbing' at this moment. The rod-shaped structure (Canadarm2) is the robot arm. Greetings from Matthias Maurer's hometown — it was very exciting. #iss," Dr Sebastian Voltmer, the astrophotographer tweeted. Yesterday I witnessed the #spacewalk shortly after sunset. Here comes a first photo. #ESA #astronaut Matthias Maurer was just "climbing" at this moment. The rod-shaped structure (Canadarm2) is the robot arm. Greetings from Matthias Maurers hometown - it was very exciting. #iss pic.twitter.com/39Q7YlG64u — Dr. Sebastian Voltmer (@SeVoSpace) March 24, 2022 × Voltmer used Celestron 11-inch EdgeHD telescope on a GM2000 HPS mount and an ASI290 planetary camera to get the shot, as per his e-mail to Space.com Voltmer analysed the photo and in an updated, indicated the positions of both astronauts. Update: 2 Spacewalkers Imaged From The Ground During the #spacewalk of the two astronauts @Astro_Raja and @astro_matthias the International Space Station appeared shortly after sunset in the bright evening sky over Germany. This image of the #ISS was taken on March 23, 2022. pic.twitter.com/xkKJtSoZFc — Dr. Sebastian Voltmer (@SeVoSpace) March 28, 2022 × "It's probably the first ground-based picture showing two spacewalkers on the ISS at the same time." he told spaceweather.com The photos certainly don't show both astronauts discernibly but to point you camera at the sky and clicking image of spacewalking astronauts with clarity of this degree is a feat indeed!

Astrophotographer takes photo of spacewalking astronauts, from Earth

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Manas Joshi

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