LEAD

After a spectacular 2023 that saw the country land a spacecraft on the Moon and launch another to study the Sun, the Indian Space Research Organisation will carry out at least 12 launches this year, surpassing previous records, chairman S Somanath said on Monday.

“We are planning at least 12 missions for 2024. It may also go up depending on our ability to produce the hardware and complete testing,” Somanath said at a media briefing after the successful launch of India’s first polarimetry mission, the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite, a space observatory that will study black holes and other celestial objects.

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday extended her greetings to all the countrymen on the first day of the new year, saying she hoped that 2024 would bring happiness, peace and prosperity to the people.

"Warm New Year greetings to all! May the Year 2024 bring happiness, peace and prosperity for everyone. Let us welcome the New Year with a renewed commitment to contribute to inclusive and sustainable development," President Murmu posted from her official handle on X on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the peace pact signed by the central and Assam governments with ULFA, saying the agreement paves the way for lasting progress in the state.

The ULFA's pro-talks faction on Friday signed a peace accord with the central and the Assam governments, agreeing to shun violence, surrender all arms, disband the organisation and join the democratic process.

Hours after a Qatar court of appeal commuted the death penalty handed to eight former Indian Navy personnel, their families and colleagues reacted cautiously, saying the verdict Thursday is not yet a vindication or success.

The families are moving the Court of Cassation, the highest court of appeal in Qatar, even as they await a copy of the detailed judgement Thursday — in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs said sentences have been reduced for the eight men.

Vijayakanth’s death was confirmed by officials of Miot Hospital, where he was admitted for
pneumonia and was treated with ventilator support.
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"Captain Vijaykanth was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite
the best efforts of medical staff he passed away in the morning on 28th December 2023," the
hospital said in a release.