#resumption of flights

[usafphantom2]

IMAGES: Russia resumes production of modernized Tu-160 bombers

Russia plans to eventually buy 50 new Tu-160M and modernize 15 existing Tu-160.

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 02/22/2024 - 08:17 in Military

Russia restarted the production of the Tupolev-160 strategic bombers, known as Blackjack, with the announcement coming from Sergey Chemezov, CEO of the state company Rostec.

"Restarting the production of the Tu-160 was quite a task for all Rostec affiliates. The project documentation was fully digitized within the tightest deadlines. The vacuum welding technique of titanium parts was restored and the production of fuselage units was resumed. Today we can safely say that we have been successful in all aspects," he said, according to the Russian state media.

The updated Tu-160M maintains the exterior design of its predecessor, but incorporates a technological base and completely new digital solutions.

The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the S.P. aviation factory. Gorbunov Kazan, in Tartaristan, where he inspected four updated strategic bombers, drew attention amid concerns about the country's military capabilities.

The Tu-160, recognized as the largest and most powerful supersonic aircraft with wings of variable geometry in the history of military aviation, underwent an update program initiated by Putin's decision.

The government contract, signed between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Tupolev design department, facilitated the digitization of the Tu-160M aircraft design documentation and the restoration of vacuum welding techniques for titanium products, leading to the resumption of the production of fuselage units.

Rostec's main industrial companies in metallurgy, aircraft design, engineering and instrument manufacturing have played crucial roles in revitalizing their cooperation for the successful resumption of production.

The first Tu-160M strategic bomber built from scratch made its first 30-minute flight on January 12, 2022. It is equipped with modern weapons, electronic warfare system, as well as on-board electronic equipment.

According to reports, the Tu-160 entered Soviet service for the first time in the late 1980s, with production until 1995. In 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the resumption of production of the updated variant of the Tu-160M to strengthen the strategy of the Russian Air Force in the capabilities of the bombers at a time of increasing tension with the West, and to compensate for delays in the future PAK-DA bomber program.

Russia plans to eventually buy about 50 Tu-160M bombers and is upgrading 16 existing Tu-160s to the modernized standard. With the first Tu-160M scheduled to be delivered soon, series production is expected to begin in 2023, at a production rate of at least three aircraft per year. This would fit the order for 10 aircraft in the period 2023–27.

The update of the Tu-160M is being implemented in two phases, with the first phase of the Tu-160M1 comprising the new navigation system K-042K-1 and autopilot ABSU-200-1, as well as the removal of some previous systems, such as pump observation systems. This variant of the Tu-160M1 has been operational in the Russian Air Force since the end of 2014.

The second phase of the Tu-160M2 includes the new Novella NV1.70 radar, a digital glass booth, modern communications and anti-jamming equipment, updated NK-32 engines (designated NK-32-02) and modern conventional and nuclear weapons.

Tags: Military AviationROSTECRussiaTu-160 Blackjack

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[nanobreaker]

BA, easyJet and Wizz Air resume flights to and from Israel

3 April 2024

From the article:

Major European airlines have started to resume flights to and from Israel, with Wizz Air, easyJet and British Airways all now flying to Tel Aviv, and Virgin Atlantic planning a resumption later this year.

Wizz Air said on Wednesday it had restarted flights to Israel from six airports in March, with plans to resume operations on further routes during the next three months. This will include the resumption of flights from Gatwick to Tel Aviv, as well as 16 other paused routes.

Most big airlines suspended services to Israel and some surrounding areas after the start of the Gaza war in October. They are only now returning.

The fact that airline companies feel comfortable resuming flights to Tel Aviv is absolutely ludicrous to me.

[ultraflavour]

Some people see Daggerheart and Draw Steel as each being "just another Fantasy TTRPG trying to pick up 5E's scraps" but what I see is the resumption of an evolutionary design philosophy that started in the early 2010's but got unceremoniously trampled by the rise of 5th Edition and Pathfinder.

These were games like Dungeon World, Star Wars: Edge of the Empire, and 13th Age, games that tried to marry the "Fantasy adventure" style that was prevalent at the time with a more narrative bent.

Before that, there was 4th Edition and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition, both with very strong opinions about what the post-3rd Edition fantasy landscape could look like. 4th Edition saw each character as having a suite of cool abilities that they weren't afraid of using, rather than just swinging a sword or saving their spell slots for the boss. Meanwhile, Warhammer imagined combat as being much more cinematic, with ups and downs that were decided mostly by the dice, rather than by being deliberately planted there by the GM.

4th Edition would get perceptually pushed to the side by Pathfinder, while the "Fail Forward" dice mechanic would evolve into the Powered by the Apocalypse system and Star Wars: Edge of the Empire.

(By the way, I don't know if there is intentionality behind the crossover between WFRP 3 and Apocalypse World's dice mechanics, or if that is just an example of convergent evolution.)

Then 5th Edition would come along and, thanks to the rise of Actual Play and Stranger Things, would become the dominant force that it is now. But those pre-5E games had a point, including 4th Edition. There are a lot of D&D players out there who want something beyond just swinging a sword at a goblin and hoping for a Crit, and rolling Perception checks.

For some people, those games are OSR or indie games on itch.io, and I'm not ruling those out. But those have also been well represented in the wake of 5E, while the more narrative, character-first side of the spectrum has mostly been represented by some combination of 5E and Pathfinder. That, I think, does a disservice to a genre that I've taken to calling "Character Fantasy" that really got going with games like Lancer (on the more combat-heavy side) and Fabula Ultima (on the more narrative side) as well as the upcoming Daggerheart and Draw Steel.

Anyways this is a bit of a rambling post, but I woke up with these thoughts and I knew I'd be thinking about them all day at work if I didn't get them down. The "Character Fantasy Renaissance" is something that I've been thinking about a lot, because I think it exists in the public consciousness but is having trouble being expressed. Mainly because most people think of 5E as being the dominant "Character-first Fantasy" game, which I think is actually a mistake, because it's kind of a bad one.

The games that follow the design patterns of 4E, the Fantasy Flight Narrative Dice games, and Powered by the Apocalypse are the ones that I think much more of as being part of the "Character Fantasy Renaissance" (not sold on the name yet). That's why I'm much more bullish on games like Daggerheart, Draw Steel, and others that are following in the footsteps of those early-2010s games without totally throwing out any semblance of complex conflict resolution mechanics (Read: combat systems, but not necessarily).

[airsllides]

airsLLide No. 751: OE-ILE, Boeing 737-2T5 Adv., Lauda Air, Salzburg, January 30, 1987.

Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda was not only into racing, but was also into aviation. He acquired a PPL (Professional Pilot's License) and founded his own airline. Lauda Air, founded in 1979 with two Fokker 27 regional aircraft, was initially not the success the founder had hoped for, and following harsh competition, his first attempts ended with the suspension of all flights in 1983.

Fall 1985 saw a re-start - or resumption - of the brand, along with a new strategy. Now focussing on leisure flights to sunseeker destinations rather than on commuter flights, Lauda Air took-off again, first with Bac 1-11s leased from Tarom, later with Boeing 737s such as OE-ILE (leased from Transavia in the Netherlands).

[ukrainenews]

Daily Wrap Up May 8-10, 2023

Under the cut:

A Ukrainian military unit said on Wednesday it had routed a Russian infantry brigade from frontline territory near Bakhmut, claiming to confirm an account by the head of Russia's Wagner private army that the Russian forces had fled. Later in the day, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who heads Ukraine's ground forces, said Russian units in some parts of Bakhmut had retreated by up to 2 km (1.2 miles) as the result of counterattacks. He did not give details.

The Kremlin-backed authorities in the occupied Ukrainian city of Kamianka-Dniprovska in the southern Zaporizhzhia region are evacuating families and public sector workers further into Russian-held territory, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a statement.

Russian shelling has killed a woman in Kherson oblast’s Kakhovskyi district on the Dnipro river, the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office reported on Wednesday.

The UK foreign secretary and US secretary of state have urged Russia not to use global hunger as a tool of war in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as discussions continue about the resumption of the Black Sea grain deal.

The May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square highlighted the equipment and strategic communications challenges the Russian military has faced during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry. Over 8,000 military personnel reportedly participated in the parade, but most were auxiliaries, paramilitary forces, and military academy cadets, the ministry wrote in its latest intelligence update. An old T-34 from a ceremonial unit was the only tank on this year's Victory Day parade, which is a substantial downsize from the usual number of vehicles shown at the event held annually to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory against Nazi Germany in 1945.

A Ukrainian military unit said on Wednesday it had routed a Russian infantry brigade from frontline territory near Bakhmut, claiming to confirm an account by the head of Russia's Wagner private army that the Russian forces had fled.

Later in the day, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who heads Ukraine's ground forces, said Russian units in some parts of Bakhmut had retreated by up to 2 km (1.2 miles) as the result of counterattacks. He did not give details.

Wagner units have led a months-long Russian assault on the eastern city, but Ukrainian forces say the offensive is stalling.

Moscow has not commented on reports that its 72nd Separate Motor-rifle Brigade had abandoned positions on the southwestern outskirts of Bakhmut. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the situation on the ground.

A Russian brigade is typically formed of several thousand troops. Bakhmut is the primary target of Moscow's huge winter offensive and scene of the bloodiest ground combat in Europe since World War Two.

Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar, writing on Telegram, said pro-Kyiv units had not lost a single position in Bakhmut on Wednesday.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has repeatedly accused Moscow's regular armed forces of failing to adequately support his men, said on Tuesday the Russian brigade had abandoned its positions.

"Our army is fleeing. The 72nd Brigade pissed away three square km this morning, where I had lost around 500 men," Prigozhin said.

'SITUATION REMAINS DIFFICULT' In a statement, Ukraine's Third Separate Assault Brigade said: "It's official. Prigozhin's report about the flight of Russia's 72nd Independent Motorized Rifle Brigade from near Bakhmut and the '500 corpses' of Russians left behind is true."

Ukraine's eastern military command said the Russian brigade had been heavily damaged, although it said Russia was still trying to capture the rest of the city.

"Unfortunately they have not destroyed the whole (Russian) brigade yet," Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for the eastern military command, said in televised comments.

"The situation (in Bakhmut) remains difficult because for the enemy, despite all the white noise Prigozhin is trying to create, it (Bakhmut) is (still) the main direction of attack," he said.

Early on Wednesday the Third Separate Assault Brigade, which was formed last year from the nationalist Azov Battalion, reposted a video of one of Azov's founders, Andriy Biletsky, who said his forces had "defeated" the Russian brigade.

"The attacks were implemented within a territory 3 km wide and 2.6 km deep, and this entire territory is completely liberated from the Russian occupying forces," he said.

Since last week, Prigozhin has repeatedly threatened to pull Wagner out of Bakhmut unless Russia's regular armed forces send more ammunition. In his latest remarks on Wednesday he said his troops were receiving only 10% of the shells they needed.

As well as clashing repeatedly with Russia's defence ministry, Prigozhin has also expressed concerns about a long-promised Ukrainian counter-offensive to recapture some of the territory that Russia occupied after the 2022 invasion.

-via Reuters

~

The Kremlin-backed authorities in the occupied Ukrainian city of Kamianka-Dniprovska in the southern Zaporizhzhia region are evacuating families and public sector workers further into Russian-held territory, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a statement.

“On May 8, the Russian occupiers began to evacuate preschool and school-age children with their parents, as well as teachers and other public sector employees from the city of Kamianka-Dniprovska in Zaporizhzhia Oblast,” the statement read. “There were not many willing participants.”

Late Thursday, Yevgeniy Balitskiy, the acting governor of the occupied parts of the Zaporizhzhia region – who is backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin – announced his administration would evacuate people from places near the war’s southern front line.

Yesterday, Yurii Malashko, Ukraine’s governor of Zaporizhzhia, said in a television interview that he understood some Moscow-backed officials were leaving occupied towns, and offering to evacuate people with Russian passports, ahead of the anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive.

“We have also heard that they take civilians, including children, to Berdiansk first of all. Then they go either to Crimea or towards the [occupied] Donetsk region,” Malashko said. Ivan Fedorov, the Ukraine-elected mayor of Melitopol — a city in Zaporizhzhia — told Ukrainian TV that it was not a “mass evacuation,” but rather “some hundreds evacuated for show.” He claimed that Russia was sending more forces to the southern front line and that, in Melitopol, troops had started mining administrative buildings, kindergartens and schools.

Fedorov advised people in the occupied areas to be prepared for the counteroffensive by finding shelter, charging power banks and stocking up on food and water.

-via CNN

~ Russian shelling has killed a woman in Kherson oblast’s Kakhovskyi district on the Dnipro river, the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office reported on Wednesday.

Russian forces reportedly shelled the district at about 5pm. The attack also damaged residential buildings and farms in the area.

An investigation is under way and the prosecutor general’s office said that a war crimes inquiry had been launched.

-The Guardian

~

The UK foreign secretary and US secretary of state have urged Russia not to use global hunger as a tool of war in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as discussions continue about the resumption of the Black Sea grain deal.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Washington, James Cleverly and Antony Blinken spoke about the war, as well as relations with China and the recent evacuation of nationals in Sudan amid the country falling into civil war.

Speaking first, Blinken said: “We are urging Russia to extend and expand the Black Sea grain initiative. In recent days, Russia has once again returned to blocking ships from sailing to Ukrainian ports to pick up grain. A cynical action, that directly results in less food getting to global food markets and to human beings in Africa, in the Middle East and around the world who need that food.

“While we are grateful for the tireless efforts of [UN] general secretary Guterres, our colleagues in Turkey, working to break this impasse, the world shouldn’t need to remind Moscow every few weeks to stop using people’s hunger as a weapon in their war against Ukraine.”

The UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, will visit the US in June, where he will meet Joe Biden in Washington. London will host the Ukraine rebuilding conference in the same month, in an attempt to examine how cities, towns and infrastructure will recover post-conflict.

Cleverly struck the same tone. After thanking Blinken for his remarks, including congratulations sent to King Charles III on his coronation, the foreign secretary said: “Just as we did with Sudan, we remain focused on the needs of some of the poorest people in the world. I echo your comments on the Black Sea grain initiative.

“It is completely wrong that Russia uses the hunger of some of the poorest people in the world to pursue leverage in this conflict. They should resign the Black Sea grain initiative and do so immediately, they should unlock the supply of food to go to those people around the world who need it most and it is perverse that they are using hunger in the developing world as leverage in their conflict in Ukraine.”

-via The Guardian

~

The May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square highlighted the equipment and strategic communications challenges the Russian military has faced during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry.

Over 8,000 military personnel reportedly participated in the parade, but most were auxiliaries, paramilitary forces, and military academy cadets, the ministry wrote in its latest intelligence update.

"The only personnel from deployable formations of regular forces were contingents of Railway Troops and military police."

An old T-34 from a ceremonial unit was the only tank on this year's Victory Day parade, which is a substantial downsize from the usual number of vehicles shown at the event held annually to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory against Nazi Germany in 1945.

"Despite heavy losses in Ukraine, Russia could have fielded more armored vehicles," reads the ministry's update. "The authorities likely refrained from doing so because they want to avoid domestic criticism about prioritizing parades over combat operations."

Earlier, six Russian regions, Russian-occupied Crimea, and 21 cities had canceled their parades due to security concerns. The traditional March of the Immortal Regiment, where families show photos of fallen veterans of the Second World War, and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's reception after the parade, were also canceled.

In 2022, large-scale parades were held in Moscow and other cities in Russia despite the full-scale war raging in Ukraine.

-via Kyiv Independent

~

Russian soldiers are preventing employees of the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from evacuating a nearby frontline town with their families, Ukraine's military said Wednesday.

"In Enerhodar, the Russian occupiers organized a so-called 'evacuation' for family members of Zaporizhzhia NPP employees — yet employees of the power plant are not allowed to leave the city," Ukraine's General Staff of the Armed Forces said in a statement. Russia-backed authorities have ordered the evacuation of thousands of civilians along the southern front as a Ukrainian counteroffensive looms.

Enerhodar, where most of the nuclear plant’s staff live, was among 18 settlements whose residents were evacuated over the weekend. The evacuees were moved to recreation centers and hotels in the southern towns of Berdiansk and Kyrylivka, while others were taken to Russia's Rostov region, Ukraine's military said.

Remember: The Zaporizhzhia plant is Europe’s largest nuclear power station and has been held by Russian forces since early in the invasion last year. It is mostly operated by a Ukrainian workforce.

The plant's position on the front lines means shelling in the surrounding towns and near the facility is common. The UN's nuclear watchdog again raised concerns earlier this week about safety at the plant, describing the situation as being "increasingly unpredictable."

-via CNN

[mariacallous]

As the dust settled following SpaceX’s brief, explosive test launch of Starship in April, both the company and the Federal Aviation Administration dug into investigating the aftermath. The gigantic rocket’s flight lasted just four minutes before it blew up near SpaceX’s Boca Chica launch site on the Texas coast. Images and news reports posted in the days afterward showed boulders of concrete and rebar blasting into the air during liftoff, and there were accounts of particulates raining down on nearby Port Isabel.

Today, both SpaceX and the FAA released statements on their joint “mishap investigation,” which was led by the company and overseen by the FAA, with NASA and the National Transportation Safety Board acting as observers. The results had to be evaluated and approved by FAA officials, but neither the agency nor SpaceX has released a full report, which would include proprietary data and US Export Control information.  Despite SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s claim on X (formerly Twitter) on September 5 that “Starship is ready to launch,” the FAA’s statement makes clear that SpaceX has more work to do. “The closure of the mishap investigation does not signal an immediate resumption of Starship launches at Boca Chica. SpaceX must implement all [63] corrective actions that impact public safety and apply for and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety, environmental and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next Starship launch,” the statement reads.

The FAA also released a “mishap closure letter” sent to SpaceX officials today, which further outlines the agency’s safety and environmental concerns. “During lift-off, structural failure of the launch pad deck foundation occurred, sending debris and sand into the air,” the letter states. On ascent, when the rocket deviated from its trajectory, the Autonomous Flight Safety System issued a destruct command, but there was an “unexpected delay” before it actually blew up, the letter continues.

The letter to SpaceX also summarizes what the FAA expects the company to address before it can be granted a new launch license. Those actions include “redesigns of vehicle hardware to prevent leaks and fires, redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness, incorporation of additional reviews in the design process, additional analysis and testing of safety critical systems and components including the Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS), and the application of additional change control practices.”

A statement on the SpaceX website briefly describes updates the company has been making to the rocket and launchpad since April. These include a hot-stage separation system, intended to use the second-stage engines to “push the ship away from the booster,” as well as a new thrust vector control system with electric motors, rather than hydraulic systems, which the company says “has fewer potential points of failure.”

Their statement also said the company had reinforced the launch pad’s foundation. Similarly, Musk tweeted this morning: “Thousands of upgrades to Starship & launchpad/Mechazilla,” referring to the launch tower.

The April launch was not the first time SpaceX had tested—and crashed—a version of Starship, although previous launches had been of earlier prototypes, including just the upper-stage rocket. In April, engineers had sought to test the fully stacked rocket and to send it on its first nearly orbital flight. After stage separation, the uncrewed upper stage was supposed to fly almost all the way around the Earth, and then splash down in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii 90 minutes later.

On launch day, Starship successfully got off the pad, but trouble became apparent a few minutes later. During ascent, propellant leaked at the end of the Super Heavy booster and caused fires, which severed the connection with the primary flight computer, according to the SpaceX statement. That’s why the upper stage and the booster failed to separate, the company concluded. Engineers then lost control of the vehicle, the connected stack began to rotate and tumble, and it eventually exploded.

Another problem was the cratering of the launch pad, caused by what Musk described on Twitter Spaces as a “rock tornado” generated by the launch. The launchpad notably lacked a flame deflector—or water deluge system—which most pads are built with. This is intended to diffuse the sound, flames, and energy produced by a launch. In SpaceX’s statement today, the company says it has made upgrades “to prevent a recurrence of the pad foundation failure,” and that includes “the addition of a flame deflector, which SpaceX has successfully tested multiple times.”

(SpaceX has not responded to WIRED’s request for comment.)

There’s a lot on the line for Starship. At 390 feet tall, it is bigger than either SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy or even NASA’s Space Launch System. With 33 Raptor engines and millions of pounds of thrust, it could become the most powerful rocket in the world. Musk envisions using Starship for Mars voyages, and NASA plans to use it for the Artemis moon missions, starting with the historic Artemis 3 flight planned for 2025, which will take astronauts back to lunar soil for the first time since 1972. NASA also awarded SpaceX a contract for the Artemis 4 landing scheduled for 2028. Those plans will face setbacks if SpaceX can’t quickly get its launch site and its massive new rocket working. A couple weeks after the Starship explosion, NASA awarded Blue Origin—SpaceX’s rival—a moon lander contract for the Artemis 5 mission slated for 2029, perhaps as a hedge in case SpaceX’s troubles with Starship continue.

Inaugural rocket launches almost always fail, especially attempted orbital flights, and SpaceX’s Starship’s short-lived flight was not unexpected. (NASA’s successful lunar flight by the Space Launch System and Orion last year was an exception.) Musk himself tweeted that he thought there might be a 50 percent chance of success and said on Twitter Spaces that he hoped the rocket wouldn’t “fireball” and melt the launchpad. The FAA oversees other companies’ launch site investigations too—including Blue Origin’s following its New Shepard rocket failure in September 2022.

The Starship launch site neighbors a wildlife refuge and public beach. Local and environmental groups like Save RGV (referring to the Rio Grande Valley) and the Center for Biological Diversity raised concerns even before the test launch, not just about debris but also about increased vehicle traffic, intense heat, noise, and light pollution from construction, and launch activities that could affect protected species and the public beach. On May 1, they sued the FAA for granting the launch license without a more thorough environmental impact statement. (SpaceX later joined the lawsuit on the FAA’s side.) Through their lawsuit, the groups are calling for the FAA to conduct a fuller review of the Starship launch program that would likely include more mitigating measures. They feel this will better protect the local community and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species like Kemp’s ridley sea turtle and migratory birds like the piping plover.

“The explosion, the destruction at the launch pad, the debris scattered across the area, the dust floating to nearby towns, what occurred proves our point: The mitigation is clearly insufficient,” says Jared Margolis, senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity. “As we look to the stars, as we try to look forward to this new age of spaceflight, we can’t forget about life here on Earth.”

[uaegraphics]

Advantages of Hiring a Car with a Driver

Travel is stressful because of road congestion and rigid time allocations. Hiring of cars with a driver minimizes stress, provides comfort, and offers convenient travel. Compared to the option of self-driving and public transport, the advantages of car hire with a driver are numerous. Therefore, this article aims to explore the major advantages of hiring a car with a driver to increase business trips, vacation, and special events.

Advantages of Hiring a Car with a Driver 

Stress-free Journey

With a hired car and driver, you will just sit back and enjoy the journey in all its beauty, without having to pay attention to traffic, navigation, or where to park. The role is taken care of by the driver so that you can take care of the rest of your work, like preparing for the meeting or appreciating the beauty of places during your holiday.

No hassles with traffic: Drivers are trained to deal with traffic, finding the best routes so that you do not face delays.

No parking worries: No need to worry about parking, should one hire a driver who takes one to the destination and makes sure that parking is safe.

Available Time for Work or Recreation: Engaging a driver saves you time for the resumption of work, resting, or spending quality time with travel companions.

Higher Safety and Expertise

When hiring professional drivers, you are guaranteed to be kept safe and secure during the journey. As they are skilled for the job, they are more efficient at driving, courteous to traffic rules, and deal with various circumstances while driving.

Trained and Experienced Drivers: Professional drivers are experts to be dealt with long drives, night travels, and driving in unknown places.

More Safety: With the trusted experienced driver, one is assured of minimum risks caused by navigation mistakes or carelessness.

The drivers follow local traffic laws, so you won't break any law unknowingly.

Local Knowledge and Expertise

One of the best advantages of hiring a car with a driver is that a driver is known to locals. Like an entirely different guide, he may be providing tips regarding good local restaurants, tourist places, and shortcuts in saving much time and making your experience worthwhile.

Tourist Support: Known drivers can take you to visit the local attractions and show you the hidden treasures.

Language Support: In foreign destinations, it is very common that the local drivers will assist as an interpreter or assistant to avoid communication problems

Quickest Route Navigation: People in that place know which routes to use to make short cuts or avoid construction that causes a hitch or get stuck at traffic jams.

Convenience for Special Events and Occasions

Perhaps, hiring a car with a driver can be one of the luxury pluses for your wedding, corporate functions, or any personal celebration. You will be left to enjoy more of the moment while the driver takes care of all the transport arrangements for the event.

Event Logistics Stress-Free: At the wedding, birthday, or corporate function, drivers help manage transportation to ensure everyone will be there right on time.

Luxury Experience: Rides in the luxury car with a professional chauffeur can resemble quite elegant. It is suitable for special events as well.

No Need to Designate a Driver: For parties and other occasions where alcohol may be available, one may rest assured that having a professional chauffeur would eliminate the stress of finding a designated driver.

Cost-Effective for Long Distance Travel

If you travel distances, sometimes car renting or commercial flights may not be as cost-effective as hiring a car with a driver. Chauffeur-driven car hire is extremely useful in traveling to an extent when you have a group of people or family.

Shared costs: If you are traveling with other people, you can share the cost of hiring a car and driver thus making it cheap.

No Fuel or Toll Costs: Most of the car rental services that include drivers provide the costs for fuel, tolls, and parking charges in the package.

No Maintenance Concerns: You do not have to bother regarding wear and tear or breakdowns as maintenance is taken over by the rental service.

Flexibility and Personalization

Car rentals with drivers are more flexible than taxis or other means of public transport as you can design your day and time schedule, make sudden stops whenever you wish, and change your itineraries at will.

On-demand stops: Whenever you are traveling, it is possible to stop anywhere so that you can visit the various attractions, restaurants, or other shops which is not possible in public transportation.

Customizable Route: You are at liberty of routing and can change the routing whenever you want to suit your needs.

24/7 Availability: The drivers are available 24/7 and can prepare your transport whenever you want them to.

Productivity on the Go

Car hire with a driver service for the business traveler can improve productivity in leaps and bounds. There is ample time to catch up on some emails, prepare for a meeting or make key calls.

Mobile Office: With a driver, one can transform the car into a mobile office and remain productive while traveling.

No Driving Distractions: Since you do not have to drive, you do not get distracted from work. Time management is efficient in such circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: What varieties of cars are available to hire with drivers?

Car rental companies offer a wide range of cars available for rent, from sedans to SUVs to luxury cars like Mercedes and Audi. You can choose the vehicle you desire according to the need - business, leisure, a special occasion, and so on.

Q2: What is the hire car price inclusive of a driver?

It will generally depend on what type of car one would want to rent, for how much time, and the distance to be covered. Most services offer an hour or daily rate and can also turn out to be more economical than a self-drive car if you consider all the included perks.

Q3: Do they have a car with a driver for airport transfers?

Yes most car hire services provide an airport transfer package wherein a car and a driver will be available at arrival to take you to your destination. They will meet you at the airport, help carry your bags and drive you to your destination.

Q4: Do they speak English?

Drivers can usually speak some English with international car-hiring services. It does vary from country to country, so you're always better off asking or checking beforehand if there's a language concern.

Q5: Do you need to tip when hiring a car with a driver?

Tipping depends on the place. There are some destinations that would expect someone to tip his driver, and in other places, so little is expected. Asking in advance from the local customs or receiving some form of guidelines from the hiring company would always be recommended .

Conclusion

Car hire with a driver comprises many benefits like hassle-free traveling, high safety, maximum productivity, and comfort. Whether you need to stay productive as a business traveler, explore the new face of a city as a tourist, or attend some exclusive event, having a professional driver at your fingertips saves you loads of time and stress, bringing just that little touch of luxury to your journey. In this way, using a chauffeur service is an intelligent move practically for any kind of traveler.

[newsloverindia]

ITA Airways Resumes Tel Aviv-Rome Flights Starting September 5, 2024

ITA Airways has officially announced the resumption of its Tel Aviv-Rome flight operations, starting September 5, 2024. The airline will initially offer a daily daytime service, bridging the gap between Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport. This comes as a welcome move for travelers and businesses reliant on the connection between Israel and Italy.

The flight schedule for the resumed service is as follows:

Flight AZ807: Departs from Tel Aviv at 2:30 p.m. (local time) and arrives in Rome at 5:15 p.m. (local time).

Flight AZ806: Departs from Rome at 9:10 a.m. (local time) and arrives in Tel Aviv at 1:30 p.m. (local time).

While this marks the return of daytime flights, ITA Airways has also confirmed the reintroduction of its nighttime services from October 1, 2024. These flights include:

Flight AZ809: Tel Aviv to Rome

Flight AZ810: Rome to Tel Aviv

However, these night services will remain suspended until September 30, 2024. The airline emphasized that it is closely monitoring geopolitical developments in the Middle East to ensure the safety and reliability of its operations.

ITA Airways’ decision to restart this route reflects its commitment to maintaining vital international connections, while prioritizing the safety of its passengers and crew.

At Travel Agent Mall, we offer unbeatable consolidator fare, wholesale fares, private fares, net fares, corporate fares, and group fares from North America to destinations worldwide. Whether you’re an agent or an agency, ensure your clients get the best deals and commissions. Let’s connect for seamless travel experiences! 🌍✈️ Contact us at sales@travelagentmall.com or +1 248–488–7700 for more details.

Moreover, TWAI provides state-of-the-art travel and airline technology solutions, including a powerful Booking Engine that can elevate your travel business. Whether you need a Booking Engine, NDC API, or custom software solutions, payment orchestration, TWAI has you covered. Reach out at info@twai.com or call us at +1 248–793–0000 for a consultation and take your travel services to the next level!

Image Source: ITA Airways Facebook Page

[boltflight]

Resurgence Amidst Turbulence: The Resumption of Operations at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport

The skies over Israel have recently experienced a poignant interlude as the Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport, a beacon of connectivity, has resumed operations following a temporary closure. This article delves into the complexities of this situation, examining the implications of geopolitical tensions on air travel and the resilience of airlines in these challenging times.

Understanding the Context of the Shutdown

The Catalyst of Change: Cross-Border Tensions

The recent shutdown of Ben Gurion International Airport was precipitated by heightened cross-border tensions with Hezbollah, a scenario that sent ripples of concern throughout the aviation industry. As conflicts escalated, safety became paramount, leading to the cessation of operations.

Key Events Leading to the Shutdown

Hezbollah's Provocations: The tensions escalated due to military actions and threats, prompting security assessments.

Immediate Reactions: In response to these developments, airlines began reevaluating their flight schedules and safety protocols. For more on how aircraft are delivered to airlines, check out this link.

The Resumption of Operations

Despite the tumultuous backdrop, the Israel Airports Authority announced a cautious resumption of services at Ben Gurion Airport. This reopening signals a tentative return to normalcy amidst an atmosphere of uncertainty.

Operational Capacity Post-Resumption

Projected Passenger Volume: Approximately 50,000 passengers are expected to transit through TLV.

Flight Operations: The airport is scheduled to handle over 300 international flights, a significant recovery from the recent standstill.

Airlines' Responses to the Crisis

Flight Cancellations and Adjustments

In light of security concerns, numerous international airlines opted to suspend or cancel flights to and from Israel, leaving many travelers in a state of limbo.

Airlines Affected by the Crisis

Air France and Transavia: Both airlines suspended flights amid safety fears.

Aegean Airlines and Wizz Air: They too decided to halt operations temporarily.

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines: Major U.S. carriers took similar actions, prioritizing passenger safety.

El Al's Commitment to Service

Israel's national carrier, El Al, has taken steps to resume its flight schedule, albeit with necessary adjustments to enhance passenger security.

Strategic Adjustments Made by El Al

Revised Flight Paths: Changes to routes to minimize exposure to conflict zones.

Enhanced Security Measures: Increased vigilance and protocols to ensure passenger safety. The importance of a clean windshield when flying is often overlooked but crucial for safety—learn more here.

The Broader Impact of the Conflict

A Ripple Effect on Global Connectivity

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, compounded by tensions with Gaza, has far-reaching implications for global air connectivity.

Effects on International Airlines

Extended Flight Suspensions: American Airlines has extended its suspension of flights until March 29, 2025.

European Airlines' Caution: Ryanair and other European carriers have also canceled flights until at least September 30, 2024.

The Tense Landscape of the Middle East

The current geopolitical climate in the Middle East is fraught with uncertainty. Concerns over a potential escalation into war have further complicated travel plans for many.

Factors Contributing to Tensions

Political Strife: Ongoing disputes within the region create a precarious environment.

Civilian Safety: Airlines must prioritize the well-being of passengers, influencing their operational decisions.

Navigating the Future of Air Travel in Israel

Prospects for Recovery

Despite the challenges, there is a glimmer of hope for the aviation sector in Israel. The resumption of operations at Ben Gurion Airport is a critical step toward rebuilding travel confidence.

Indicators of Recovery

Increased Passenger Demand: As tensions ease, there is potential for a rebound in travel.

Reopening of Key Routes: Airlines are gradually restoring services, fostering renewed connectivity. For those interested in the materials used in aircraft construction, find more information here.

The Role of Technology in Ensuring Safety

Airlines and airports are leveraging technology to enhance safety protocols, ensuring a secure travel experience for passengers.

Technological Innovations

Real-Time Security Assessments: Implementing systems to monitor and assess risks continuously.

Passenger Communication: Utilizing apps and notifications to keep travelers informed of changes and safety measures.

FAQs About Ben Gurion International Airport's Operations

What prompted the shutdown of Ben Gurion International Airport?

The airport was temporarily closed due to escalating tensions with Hezbollah, which raised security concerns for airlines and passengers.

Which airlines have canceled flights to Israel?

Several airlines, including Air France, Transavia, Aegean Airlines, Wizz Air, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, have canceled flights due to safety concerns.

When did El Al resume its flight schedule?

El Al has announced the resumption of its flight schedule following the airport's reopening, implementing necessary adjustments to enhance security.

How many passengers are expected at Ben Gurion Airport?

The Israel Airports Authority estimates that approximately 50,000 passengers will travel through TLV during the initial phase of operations.

Are there any extended flight suspensions?

Yes, American Airlines has extended its suspension of flights to Israel until March 29, 2025, while European airlines like Ryanair have canceled flights until at least September 30, 2024.

Conclusion: A Journey Forward

The resumption of operations at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. As airlines navigate the complexities of geopolitical tensions, the aviation industry remains committed to ensuring passenger safety while fostering connectivity. While challenges persist, the potential for recovery shines through the clouds of uncertainty. Travelers and airlines alike are united in their hope for a safer, more stable future, where the skies above Israel can once again be a conduit for exploration and connection. For travelers affected by overbooked flights, understand your rights here.

[presssection]

Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Hong Kong (SAR), H.E. Riaz Ahmed Shaikh called on the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong (SAR), The Honorable John Lee, at his office today, the 23rd August 2024. The meeting was marked by a cordial exchange of views on matters of mutual interest and cooperation.

During the discussion, both sides emphasized their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and discussed wide range of topics, including Bilateral Trade and Investment, IT services and Fintech, Education, Tourism, People-to-People Exchange, Resumption of Direct Flights and other areas.

The two sides agreed to further enhancing cooperation in all areas of mutual concern while acknowledging the importance of ongoing collaboration to achieve shared goals.

This meeting underscores the strong and growing relationship between Pakistan and Hong Kong (SAR), setting the stage for a future of increased cooperation, partnership and mutual benefit.

[usafphantom2]

The real secret behind P-51B/C/D Mustang range

The P-51 Mustang

Controlling the air proved key to controlling the ground. The long-range P-51 Mustang fighter was invaluable to the Allied victory, enabling resumption of strategic bombing after heavy losses suffered by unescorted bombers in 1943. Developed for export to Britain, models modified by the British to use Rolls-Royce Merlin engines became America’s most capable wartime fighters.

In fact, in December 1943 the first Merlin-engined P-51B/C Mustangs entered combat in Europe. These P-51s provided sorely needed long-range, high-altitude escort for the US bombing campaign against Germany.

The P-51D arrived in quantity in Europe in the spring of 1944, becoming the USAAF’s primary long range escort fighter.

Thanks to its ability to excel in long-range escort duty, the Mustang was the first single-engine plane based in Britain to penetrate Germany, first to reach Berlin and first to go with the heavy bombers over the Ploiesti oil fields in Romania.

How was the iconic Mustang able to perform such long-range escort missions? Not because of its drop tanks.

The secret behind P-51B/C/D Mustang range

‘Lots of planes could carry drop tanks: P-47, P-40, P-38, etc.,’ says James Gibson, former MP&P Engineer at Boeing, says on Quora.

‘The real secret to the Mustang’s range was not the laminar flow control wing, or the Merlin engine. It was the addition of a fuselage tank behind the cockpit halfway through production of the P-51B. This additional internal tank increased fuel capacity by 85 gallons: original P-51Bs only had 184 gallons in the wings. The addition increased total fuel to 269 gallons or some 30%. Further adding two 75 gal drop tanks you reached 419 gallons. The later D&H models carried 110 gal drop tanks for 489 gallons.

‘But when you carried so much fuel you had to be aware of which tanks you were using at which point in the flight. On take-off you used the rear fuselage tank. This tank effected the center of gravity of the plane. You didn’t want to tangle with a 109 or a Focke Wulf when carrying fuel in the rear tank. So you burned it first and then switched to the drop tanks about halfway to Berlin.’

Gibson concludes;

‘You would then burn off the drop tanks, hopefully before engaging enemy fighters. But if they struck early you could drop those tanks and thus be clean and maneuverable. This was the fight profile that allowed the Mustangs maximum range and best performance when over target.’

P-51D Mustang print

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. P-51D Mustang “Dorrie R” – 44-63422 / 134, 15th FG, 78th FS “Bushmasters” – 1945

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force

Dario Leone

@TAGC17 via X

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

[konradnews]

Cathay Pacific Airways Celebrates the Expansion of New Flights on the Centrair - Hong Kong Route with a Sale. From 59,340 yen round trip to Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Airways is holding a sale to commemorate the resumption of morning flights from Centrair until July 2. This is to celebrate the resumption of three weekly flights to Hong Kong (CX533/532) departing from Centrair (Chubu) in the morning. The resumption of morning flights is the first in four years and eight months, and with this increase, the Centrair – Hong Kong route (including via…

[head-post]

Houthis, Yemeni government reach financial “de-escalation” deal

The Yemeni government and the Houthi group have reached a significant agreement to de-escalate tensions related to the banking sector and air travel, Arab media reported.

According to a statement released today by the UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, the two sides agreed on a number of measures. These include cancelling recent decisions against banks, resuming and increasing to three daily Yemenia Airways flights between Sanaa and Jordan, and operating flights to Cairo and India as needed.

They will also address the administrative, technical and financial challenges faced by Yemenia Airways and convene meetings to discuss economic and humanitarian issues based on a roadmap.

The parties have sought UN support for these commitments, and Grundberg acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s significant role in facilitating the agreement.

However, the governor of Yemen’s central bank, which supports the internationally recognised government, resigned in protest against the deal, citing fears that ending central bank decision-making would reinforce Houthi domination of the banking sector.

Earlier, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi accused Saudi Arabia of economic pressure on his movement after Riyadh instructed the Yemeni government to relocate commercial and banking centres from Sanaa to Aden in the south of the country and halt flights from Sana’a International Airport, threatening to attack Saudi banks, airports and ports in response.

In April, Yemen’s Central Bank in Aden decided to move the main offices of commercial and Islamic banks, as well as local and foreign microfinance organisations operating in Yemen, from Sana’a to Aden within 60 days, promising to take legal action against those who fail to do so.

Grundberg announced late last December that the Yemeni parties had reached an agreement to implement a series of measures aimed at establishing peace, including agreeing to respect a ceasefire across Yemen and beginning preparations for the resumption of an inclusive political process under the auspices of the UN.

For the tenth consecutive year, the Arab country has been plagued by an ongoing power struggle between the internationally recognised government and an Iranian-backed Shiite group. The consequences of the conflict have caused a serious humanitarian crisis.

Read more HERE

[caranelguild]

Our adventurers have made the long flight northwest from Urbis to Snowcrest Village in the far north, central to the continent of tundra and rock above Tulea, where Krieg, Vola, and Damaia began their journey. Snowcrest Village is remote, a place only existing thanks to the technology of flight. It is a tourist trap, but dark rumours have been drifting from it - stories of occult gatherings and missing tourists.

After setting Twula up by the aeroplanes with warm blankets and firewood, the gang spreads through the village gathering information. They learn that some three months ago, a couple of local teenagers stumbled upon a sinkhole an hour outside of town. The continent is lined below with tunnels hollowed by lava; this must be a rare passage between the over- and underworlds of the tundra. The teenagers found a chunk of quartz in the sinkhole which they began to use as an occult tool and party trick. Bold partygoers would put the stone in their mouths, where it would allegedly begin to glow while transporting the users' minds to another plane of existence. Whole seances and performances followed - until a guest's boring older sister crashed a party near the sinkhole one day and threw the quartz into the depths of the hole, out of reach.

The sinkhole was forgotten . . . but strange things began happening around Snowcrest Village. Tourists began to disappear, five over the next month. Then, three days before the arrival of our adventurers, one of the missing returned - was discovered walking up the slope from the sinkhole, where the militia had kept a posting to prevent a resumption of the occult parties.

This tourist, a gnome named Equinis, has been held in the militia office since her mysterious return.

It was midnight by the time all this information had been gathered, but our adventurers had spent the last five or six days cramped in aeroplanes - they are not yet desirous of beds. They head to the militia office, which is closed for the night. They knock upon the door and are greeted by a nervous human male, who speaks out to them from a peephole.

Krieg convinces him that our group has been sent to investigate the happenings by a council of Patriarchs in Tulea (Snowcrest Village is run by the dark elves), and the nervous militiaman hasn't the boldness to question it. Krieg is permitted in to speak to Equinis while the others wait outside.

Equinis has been held these three days upstairs in an evidence and storage closet. She is startled up from sleep, and sits up on a cot in rumpled day clothes.

Krieg is left to interview her, but there is little to learn. She had been hiking with her husband and twin sons, and had gone off a ways on her own to relieve herself. The next thing she remembers, she was walking up from the sinkhole at dawn, where she was found by a militiaman.

Krieg connects with his god and discovers that Equinis has been desecrated somehow.

The militiaman on duty this night resists when Krieg says he will be taking Equinis back to her family, but ultimately gives way, even revealing their location in town.

Outside, Quagoon notices that they are being watched from an alleyway. When he subtly points it out to the others, his efforts are in vain: Damaia immediately looks over, then goes to the alleyway, pulling a scrap of paper from her pocket to throw away in the rubbish bin there.

A cloaked gnome races away into the darkness.

Shortly, Krieg and Equinis come out of the headquarters. The group then heads into town to the White Stage, a lodge where Equinis' husband Eldredd is staying with her two sons, Billi and Timmi.

They see the cloaked gnome again at the door of the establishment, heading in. They go to the information desk, where Vola speaks in Goliath with the staff member there. Sure enough, the gnome that just entered was Eldredd. Vola buys an expensive bottle of wine from the bar just off the lobby, and the gang heads up the stairs to the gnomes' room.

When passing down the second floor hallway, Quagoon notices the gnome again, but gestures the others to go on. Eldredd is resting against a barrel of ice in a nook off the hallway; when he is still, his cloak seems to take on the colours of his surroundings. Nobody else notices him. Quagoon steps into a doorway and watches.

The others arrive at room 412 and Vola knocks. Sleepy children's voices answer, and Equinis is immediately in tears: it's her boys! There is a touching reunion.

Then the gnome on the second floor finally moves on after muttering to himself in Gnomish, but when he comes to the fourth floor and sees a trio of armed strangers standing over his wife and children, he goes wild: he rushes at them crying hoarsely!

Quagoon grabs him from behind and everyone is ushered swiftly into the room.

There, the situation is explained. Eldredd has been in an understandable panic since his wife disappeared, and since her reappearance, has been posting outside of the office where she's being kept in the hope to break her out or just catch a glimpse of her. Our adventurers explain that they are not actually agents of the Patriarchs, but that they are here in Snowcrest Village to investigate the sinkhole. Because they are not officials, they explain, it would be best if Eldredd take his family out of Snowcrest Village at the earliest opportunity.

Then they ask after his magical cloaking cloak, which Billi and Timmi are thrilled to explain was a gift upon his promotion among the rangers of Mielikki.

A good deed done and the family warned not to stay, our adventurers move on, thinking perhaps to spend the night by the sinkhole to observe the environs. They head off that way.

Ironically it is Quagoon who steps on a patch of crunchy snow and alerts the militiaman on duty of the presence of strangers somewhere in the approach up to the sinkhole.

Krieg doesn't hesitate to use his stone of fog, then creeps around the guard and howls like an angry dragon.

"It's happening!" cries the dark elf in fear. "The spirits have awakened again!" He panics and rushes for town.

Our adventurers are preparing to head down the steep slope that forms the first fifty feet of the sinkhole when suddenly rushing towards them from the woods is Eldredd!

He is panicked, and can barely cry out, "It's not her! It's not my wife!" before dropping to his hands and knees and wheezing.

He explains, after being administered to: Equinis had a scar on the back of her hand, and the person that returned has no such mark. She is also acting strange towards their boys, and Eldredd simply has an instinct: he looked into her eyes and saw something evil.

Our adventurers promise to get to the bottom of this (no pun intended) and Eldredd gives them a sending stone, asking if they will come help him if he returns to the village to find something terrible has happened (he had sent the twins off to the militia while he abandoned "Equinis" in the middle of the street).

Once he is gone, our adventurers continue descending the pit. They reach its false bottom, where a stony well mouth yawns. Here, they rig up ropes and descend two at a time through a cylinder that opens up into a large cavern. Their ropes do not reach the bottom.

Quagoon drops to the floor easily, and catches Damaia who follows. Krieg also drops, when it is his turn, but Vola elects to swing over to a ledge and clamber down from there.

Once all have reached the bottom, they spread out to find further passage. Damaia stumbles upon it: a crevice in the floor that widens enough to allow a body through. Beneath, a small red glow in a dark space.

Quagoon and Damaia drop through and pick up a chunk of smoky quartz, which ceases glowing as soon as they perceive it more closely.

The others follow. An arrow-straight passage stretches before them.

With only one way to go, the decision is easy. Onward! About an hour passes in this straight, slightly descending passage before they arrive at a fork: two identical tunnels continue on.

They choose a direction and continue, but this time Vola begins marking the passage periodically with the strike of a hammer. When all begin to feel, "Wait, we passed this mark/node/bump before," the gang comes to a stop. That's when everyone notices that the close silence of the passage has been replaced by a low moaning hum.

Damaia pulls the quartz from her pocket and Vola smashes it. The hum stops. The gang continues on, after another half hour coming to another identical fork.

Identical is the word for it, for as they enter their chosen passage, they notice that it has been marked periodically by hammer strikes. After half an hour, they come upon a pile of quartz dust! But when investigated further, it proves to be illusory: a knife blade passes through it without stirring matter.

The subterranean journey continues like this for a fork or two more before everyone is looking at each other with suspicion: something is not right about each companion. Is it the way they move? Or how they form words? Something unidentifiable is not right.

Then Krieg pulls out his holy symbol and where Quagoon had been standing now lurks a featureless grey form that vanishes into the air within seconds. Krieg puts it back, but Quagoon doesn't reappear.

In fact, Quagoon now finds himself in an identical tunnel, alone. He rings a bell from his bag, but there is no response, and he waits.

The others move gingerly on. Then, in the next passage, when Krieg withdraws his symbol again, Vola disappears! Krieg and Damaia are alone, and argue about where to go.

Vola, meanwhile, is in an identical passage of her own. No Quagoon, no friends at all, just the marks of her hammer from two or three tunnels ago, and illusory crystal dust in halfway down the tunnel. Vola elects to retrace her steps to the last fork, where she waits.

Quagoon has moved forward to the next fork, where he rests.

Krieg and Damaia move forward, fork to fork, until Krieg begins to see something off about his partner - at which time, he begins sprinting forward!

Damaia is confused and surprised, and stops . . . before retracing her steps.

She is passing approaching a second fork on her path back when she encounters Vola, fresh from a rest. They seem to each other to be real.

Now everyone moves forward.

Krieg is the first to encounter something new: the passage slants up, now, and ends suddenly at a mirror that fills the tunnel. In its center, a dull grey door.

Quagoon, in his lonely passage, also comes up to this.

Then, a few tunnels on from their reuniting, Vola and Damaia together encounter this . . . but in the mirror, they see each other as a featureless grey mannequin! Their own reflections are true. When they look at their companion physically beside them, they are there, physical, real. But in the mirror . . .

Krieg and Quagoon move to their door. Vola steps up to the mirror and draws back a hammer . . .

[freepressjournals]

Airport Systems Back to Normal After Microsoft Outage Disrupts Flights

The Aviation Ministry has confirmed that airline systems across Indian airports have returned to normal operations following a significant Microsoft outage that disrupted flights nationwide. The systems resumed functioning smoothly from 3 AM on Saturday, according to the civil aviation ministry.

Resumption of Services

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced on X that all airline systems have been restored and flight operations are proceeding as usual. However, there is a backlog due to the disruptions from the previous day, which is being addressed. The ministry expects all issues to be resolved by noon today.

Impact of the Outage

The outage, affecting Microsoft 365 and Azure services, severely impacted the aviation sector. Airlines including Indigo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air experienced delays and cancellations as their systems went offline, forcing them to switch to manual processes.

At Delhi Airport alone, over 400 flights were delayed and more than 50 were canceled, as reported by Flightradar24.

Cause of the Disruption

The global technical issues were partly due to a faulty software update from CrowdStrike, a major cybersecurity firm. This led to widespread outages affecting systems used by many corporations, including those in the aviation sector. Cloud-based services are crucial for maintaining flight schedules and airport operations, so their disruption had a significant impact.

Airline Reactions

Indigo: The largest Indian airline reported that its systems were affected across the network, resulting in increased wait times at contact centers and airports. The airline is working with Microsoft Azure to resolve the issues promptly.

Akasa Air: The airline announced on social media that its online services for booking, check-in, and managing bookings would be temporarily unavailable.

Air India Express: The airline acknowledged the global impact on digital infrastructure and advised travelers to plan accordingly, allowing extra time for airport procedures.

SpiceJet: SpiceJet mentioned ongoing technical issues affecting flight disruption updates and assured passengers that the team is working to resolve them.

Conclusion

While the situation is stabilizing, travelers are advised to stay updated with their respective airlines for the latest information on flight statuses and to anticipate possible delays as the backlog is cleared. The aviation ministry and airlines are working to ensure that normal operations are fully restored as quickly as possible.

[talkoftitusville]

SpaceX Seeks To Resume Starlink Launches While It Investigates Falcon 9 Failure From Last Week

A Falcon 9 sitting on its launch pad in Jun 2024 at Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral.Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville. Will Robinson-Smith of Spaceflight Now reported yesterday that SpaceX has petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to permit the resumption of its Falcon 9 rocket flights, despite an ongoing investigation into a recent mission anomaly. The request…