Global attention has been drawn to a scientific breakthrough that has revealed the presence of an enormous ocean hidden far below the surface of the planet. This massive water body is larger than all surface oceans combined and is located around 700 kilometres below the surface in a mineral known as ringwoodite. Ringwoodite's extraordinary ability to absorb water was revealed by scientists in 2014 research titled 'Dehydration Melting at the Top of the Lower Mantle', comparing it to a sponge. Geophysicist Steve Jacobsen highlighted its ability to draw in hydrogen and hold onto water, i
On Monday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that its staff had reached an agreement with authorities from Ivory Coast regarding a review of two lending programmes. This agreement sets the stage for the disbursement of $574 million, pending approval by the IMF’s executive board. According to the IMF, Ivory Coast has performed satisfactorily under its $3.5 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, as well as the $1.3 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) programme. IMF Mission Chief Olaf Unteroberdoerster stated in a
On Monday, the American region witnessed a total solar eclipse, which started in western Mexico and proceeded through the United States and into Canada. The event lasted more than four minutes in some places and attracted observers such as Lourdes Corro and expert eclipse hunter Michael Zeiler, who went to Mazatlan to witness the phenomenon. Enthusiasts came together along the eclipse's path, including in upstate New York and tiny towns like Advance, Missouri, despite the potential for cloud cover in some viewing locations. For safe viewing, specialists strongly recommend wearing protec
Brazil anticipates that hosting the COP30 climate summit in Belem next year will redefine its global image, shifting away from the stereotype of being a beachy tourist spot to emphasise environmental sustainability and combat deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Celso Sabino, the minister of tourism, seeks to take advantage of this chance and foresees a rise in ecotourism, which already accounts for just 9% of all traveller visits to Brazil. Sabino highlights the necessity to diversify Brazil's tourist industry and stresses the critical role that tourism plays in both economic developme
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari aims to transform India into a green economy by reducing GST on hybrid vehicles and eliminating over 36 crore petrol and diesel vehicles. He asserts that achieving this vision is challenging yet feasible. Gadkari emphasises the potential benefits: redirecting the Rs 16 lakh crore spent on fuel imports towards improving farmers' lives, boosting rural prosperity, and creating employment opportunities for youth. While he doesn't specify a timeline, he remains optimistic about the goal. The Finance Ministry has yet to consider a proposal to reduce the GST on hybrid
The Indian Navy successfully rescued 23 Pakistani fishermen from Somali pirates in a 12-hour operation in the Arabian Sea. Utilising coercive tactics, Indian warships intercepted the hijacked vessel FV Al-Kambar, with INS Sumedha and INS Trishul leading the mission. The Indian Navy has shown its dedication to maritime security by forcing pirates to surrender without causing any bloodshed in its second operation. About 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra, in response to a distress call, the Navy caught an Iranian fishing vessel that had been taken over by nine armed pirates. On March 29,
In a historic first for Saudi Arabia, it will be competing in this year's Miss Universe pageant, marking a significant milestone for the nation. On Monday, Rumy Alqahtani, a beauty pageant contestant and well-known influencer, announced the news on social media, expressing her honour at being selected. This move reflects Saudi Arabia's recent efforts to modernise its economy and promote tourism, aligning with broader social reforms aimed at advancing gender equality and women's empowerment. The decision to participate in Miss Universe follows the lifting of the ban on women driving in
Cargill's Pyxis Ocean test of WindWings, which are large solid sails, revealed optimistic results suggesting that wind-assisted propulsion may have the capacity to influence the maritime industry towards renewable energy. The MC Shipping Kamsarmax vessel's six-month trial with two WindWings, developed by BAR Technologies, demonstrated fuel consumption reduction, hitting a predicted performance of 3 tonnes per day, which results in a reduction of 11.2 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually. The ship, equipped with 37.5-metre WindWings, navigated major oceans, harnessing the wind to propel for
On Wednesday, India’s defence ministry signed contracts worth $975 million (80.73 billion rupees) with Hindustan Aeronautics, procuring 34 indigenous advanced light helicopters for the army and coast guard. The Indian Army strengthened its capabilities by signing a deal to purchase 25 ALH helicopters. This includes improving combat readiness in the Western Desert Zone and building a new ALH Dhruv attack helicopter squadron in Jodhpur. These helicopters, like the ALH Dhruv Mk III UT, are versatile and made for various operations, such as casualty evacuation, troop transport, and search an
Tshering Tobgay, the prime minister of Bhutan, embarked on a significant five-day visit to India. It is his first overseas trip since taking office in January. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tobgay are expected to have an extensive range of discussions to strengthen the long-lasting relations between India and Bhutan. When Tobgay arrived in New Delhi, Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey greeted him warmly, demonstrating the friendship and solidarity between the two nations. It coincides with the Union Cabinet's acceptance of important accords, such as an agreement allowing cooperatio