"India's Efforts to Secure Affordable Russian Oil Amid Tightening Sanctions" India’s state-owned refiners are expediting payments for Russian crude oil to complete transactions before expanded US sanctions take effect. These refiners now settle payments within two days instead of the usual five, aiming to secure discounted Russian oil while navigating an increasingly restricted global trade environment. The urgency stems from Washington's announcement of stricter sanctions targeting Russia’s oil industry, which are set to take effect next month. Refiners are keen to ensure transactions are completed during the “wind-down” period allowed for pre-sanctioned cargoes. At least 4.4 million barrels of Russian oil are en route to Indian ports like Jamnagar, Chennai, Paradip, and Visakhapatnam. Among these shipments is the tanker Mercury , carrying over 1 million barrels of Russian Urals crude, expected to arrive in Paradip soon. This vessel loaded its cargo in mid-December ...
ISRO Successfully Launches SpaDeX Mission: A Step Closer to India's Space Station Dream As the year 2024 comes to a close, India has once again demonstrated its prowess in space technology. On Monday night, ISRO successfully launched the SpaDeX mission using the PSLV-C60 rocket, a significant milestone in the nation's journey toward establishing its own space station by 2035. This accomplishment puts India in an elite group of nations, joining the ranks of the US, Russia, and China in achieving in-space docking technology. A Historic Launch The highly anticipated launch was initially scheduled for 9:58 PM but was delayed slightly to 10:00 PM. From the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the PSLV-C60 rocket ascended into the night sky, leaving behind a trail of orange fumes and a roar that resonated across the island. This 44.5-meter-tall marvel carried two critical spacecraft into orbit—Spacecraft A (SDX01), also known as the "Chaser," a...