NewsBytes

Ladakh’s hot springs could help trace origins of life on Earth, Mars

Hot springs in the icy, high-altitude expanses of Ladakh could be holding secrets from the very dawn of life on Earth and may even help in tracing the possible origins of life on Mars, besides providing valuable insights for India’s space exploration programmes. A team of Indian scientists has made a breakthrough discovery that could not only rewrite our understanding of how life may have originated on Earth but also shed light on how astro-biological processes related to finding bio-signatures of life on other planetary bodies may have occurred. Till date, Silica-based origin of life theories are proposed globally and role of carbonates, specifically calcium has been unexplored. Prior studies showed calcite, a compound of calcium, can catalyse prebiotic reactions in laboratory settings, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology. Prebiotic pertains to something existing or occurring before the emergence of life.

‘Immigration is killing Europe, stop horrible invasion’: Trump warning in Scotland

US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to European nations about immigration, claiming it is "killing" the continent and urging governments to tighten border controls. Speaking to reporters after arriving in Scotland during his visit to Europe, Trump said, “You’re not going to have Europe anymore. You better get your act together.” He referred to rising migration as a “horrible invasion” and criticised some European leaders for not doing enough to stop it. Trump, whose mother was born in Scotland and father immigrated from Germany, is scheduled to meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during his trip.

Ex-Kargil commander moves SC, seeks fresh probe to correct 'flawed' war records

As the nation commemorates the 26th anniversary of the 1999 Kargil conflict, former wartime commander of the Kargil Brigade, Brig Surinder Singh, has moved the Supreme Court (SC), seeking a fresh probe and "corrections" in the conflict's records. He was removed from command midway during the conflict, and later his services were terminated for allegedly mishandling classified documents. Claiming in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed on May 24 that the truth still lies buried under layers of bureaucratic silence and doctored reports, he has sought a de novo inquiry headed by a Supreme Court judge or an existing group of ministers.

Delhi breathes easy after long, city records cleanest July air at just 67 AQI

For the first time in a long time, Delhi’s air quality saw a significant improvement this July, with the city briefly recording air in the ‘satisfactory’ category, a rarity for the national capital. The air quality was recorded in the "satisfactory" category at 9 am on Saturday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 91. On July 23, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of just 67, a level classified as ‘satisfactory’ by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This marked a significant shift for the capital, which frequently struggles with hazardous air pollution. Favourable weather conditions, including consistent rainfall and improved wind patterns, likely contributed to the cleaner air.