Earth on alert as solar storm set to hit this week; may disrupt GPS, communications
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Washington: The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists have issued alerts for powerful solar and geomagnetic storms, which are expected to hit Earth this week. The storms are expected to cause auroras across parts of the United States, Canada and Europe. They might potentially cause temporary disruptions in communications and satellite systems.
The alerts were issued on Tuesday that stated several strong coronal mass ejections (CMEs), massive bursts of solar plasma and magnetic fields, have been observed over the past few days. The agency issued a “G4” geomagnetic storm watch, the second-highest level on a five-point scale, after detecting stronger-than-expected solar activity.
Shawn Dahl, a scientist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, said two CMEs that erupted on November 9 and 10 had already reached Earth and were “profoundly stronger” than anticipated. A third, faster-moving CME that erupted on November 11 is expected to strike the planet by Wednesday afternoon (Eastern Time), he said.
The storms have already caused temporary radio blackouts across parts of Africa and Europe, according to Space.com.
The ongoing activity is linked to the solar maximum which is the peak of an 11-year solar cycle with intense magnetic activity and the current cycle is expected to last through the end of 2025, according to NOAA.
In May 2024, Earth experienced its strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades, across the US, the UK and parts of Europe.
This week, aurora sightings have already been reported or are expected over several US states including Illinois, Colorado, Washington, California, Oregon, Texas, Georgia, North Dakota, New York and North Carolina. Similar displays are anticipated in Canada, Ireland and northern parts of the UK, weather agencies said.
NOAA has warned that there will be temporary disruptions in GPS, radio communication and satellite operations could occur. Power grid operators and air traffic authorities have been alerted. Planned space launch may also be postponed as a precaution.
The NOAA said the auroras’ brightness and visibility depend on local light conditions and the timing of solar particles entering Earth’s atmosphere, advising skywatchers to move away from brightly lit areas for the best view.
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CM Siddaramaiah rebuts BJP's '63 per cent' corruption charge
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday refuted BJP leader R Ashoka's accusation regarding a judge's alleged remark about "63 per cent corruption" in the state, saying the opposition is "twisting facts" and attempting to shift blame from its own past tenure.
In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly had “tried to hang the BJP’s bell of sins around the Congress government's necks and has ended up embarrassing himself” by misinterpreting the Upa Lokayukta’s comments.
"In the report submitted in November 2019, Honourable Upa Lokayukta B Veerappa had stated that there was 63 per cent corruption in the State. At the time he submitted the report, the BJP government led by Yediyurappa was in power in the State,” he clarified.
Countering Ashoka’s demand for a CBI probe, Siddaramaiah listed a series of scandals under the previous BJP government, saying corruption cases were "not just one or two".
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He accused the former regime of "shameless loot" even during the COVID crisis and said "a minimum 40 per cent commission was the norm across departments".
Referring to the death of contractor Santosh Patil, alleged irregularities in irrigation projects, the PSI recruitment scam and charges levelled by BJP MLC H Vishwanath against current state party president B Y Vijayendra, he said: “If we begin listing the scams from the BJP era, an entire epic volume could be written.”
Targetting the Centre, Siddaramaiah said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who proclaims “Na khaaoonga, na khaane doonga” (Neither shall I take kickbacks, nor allow others to take it), India was 'sinking into corruption'.
He cited Transparency International rankings that place the country 96th globally.
Dismissing Ashoka’s claims as “foolishness”, Siddaramaiah asserted that his administration was ensuring transparency in “recruitment to transfers”, preventing misuse of money and power.
“Mr R Ashoka, the monumental corruption you created cannot be cleaned up in just two and a half years,” the Chief Minister said. “Give us some time — we will set everything right.”
Ashoka demanded the transfer of all corruption cases against the Congress government in the state to the CBI, and called for its resignation.
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His demand comes following an alleged remark by Upalokayukta Justice B Veerappa that the level of corruption in Karnataka stood at '63 per cent'.
"We had fought against this corrupt government both inside and outside the assembly when the MUDA scam, Valmiki ST Development Corporation scam surfaced. At that time, CM Siddaramaiah repeatedly asked for evidence of corruption. As per our constitution, courts and judges hold big positions and what they say is regarded as order or a record," Ashoka, also the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said now a judge has stated that the government in Karnataka is "63 per cent corrupt".
"We-- BJP-- had made a 60 per cent commission charge against this government, but a judge has said it is not 60, it is 63 per cent. He (judge) said it at an event where he shared the stage with other judges and senior advocates. He has alleged that there is corruption in almost all departments, nothing happens without paying commission. Karnataka is in fifth position in corruption," he claimed.
At a public event on Wednesday, Justice Veerappa had claimed that the corruption in Kerala stood at 10 per cent, while it is 63 per cent in Karnataka.
He had said that he was able to witness it after becoming the Upalokayukta.
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Recalling that the Congress government, after coming to power, formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the "40 per cent commission" charge it had made against the previous BJP government, Ashoka asked -- what probe will the government order, following the 63 per cent corruption allegation against it.
"If you have any shame left, resign and go... you formed SIT against us, constitute CBI probe on this (allegations against Congress govt), if you have guts, let the corruption in various departments come out in the open," he added.
According to the LoP, Karnataka has become an "ATM" for the Congress party to fund any state elections. Power goes to those who give more money to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
"For the recent Bihar elections, more than Rs 300 crore has gone from Karnataka itself. A breakfast meeting of Ministers was called to collect this money," he said, adding that Congress is synonymous with corruption, and corruption is Congress' home deity.
