NEW DELHI: An analysis of affidavits of 229 out of 233 Rajya Sabha MPs shows that 73 (32%) MPs have declared criminal cases against themselves and 31 (14%) are billionaires.As many as 36 (16%) MPs have declared serious criminal cases. One MP has declared a case of murder, four have cases of attempt to murder, and three have cases related to crimes against women.Party-wise data shows that 27 (27%) out of 99 MPs from BJP, 12 (43%) out of 28 from Congress, four (31%) out of 13 from Trinamool Congress, four (40%) out of 10 from Aam Aadmi Party, all three MPs from CPM, and the three MPs from Bharat Rashtra Samithi have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits. This number is two out of eight MPs from DMK, two out of seven MPs from YSRCP, two out of five MPs from AIADMK, two out of four MPs from Samajwadi Party, and two out of three MPs from RJD.In the report the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch have analysed and updated the criminal, financial and other background details of 229 out of 233 Rajya Sabha MPs. In the current Rajya Sabha, one seat from Jharkhand is vacant. Three MPs have not been analysed, as their affidavits were unavailable. The analysis includes 37 recently elected members.In terms of financial background, out of the 229 sitting RS MPs analysed, 31 (14%) are billionaires. Among major parties, six BJP MPs, five Congress members, four MPs from YSRCP, two from AAP, two from BRS, and three from NCP have declared assets valued at more than Rs 100 crore.While the total assets of 229 sitting MPs stand at Rs 27,638 crore, the average assets of Rajya Sabha sitting MPs is Rs 120.6 crore.BRS MP Bandi Partha Saradhi, has declared the highest assets at over Rs 5,300 crore, followed by AAP’s Rajinder Gupta with over Rs 5,053 crore, and YSRCP’s Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy with over Rs 2,577 crore.On the other end, AAP MP Sant Balbir Singh is the poorest, with assets worth about Rs 3 lakh. He is followed by Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, of Manipur, with around Rs 5 lakh, and TMC’s Prakash Chik Baraik with around Rs 9 lakh.

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured a rare moment involving the comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) as it began breaking apart. Events like this are not often seen, mainly because comet fragmentation is difficult to anticipate and even harder to observe at the right time. The results were later published in the journal Icarus.Interestingly, the comet was not part of the original plan. A change in the observation schedule led the team to select it instead. That decision ended up offering a closer look at how such breakups unfold, giving researchers more detail than they usually get from similar events.

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope documents early breakup of comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)

The research team, which consisted of scientists from Auburn University, had originally intended to observe another comet. However, because of their technology’s limitations, they decided to observe C/2025 K1 (ATLAS). According to NASA reports, the research team made their observations over three days: 8th to 10th November 2025.While reviewing the images taken of the comet, John Noonan, the research team’s co-investigator, noticed something unusual. Instead of one bright point of light, there were many. The research team’s review of the images revealed that the comet had indeed split into at least four different fragments. Each of these fragments had its own “coma,” which is the gas and dust that normally surrounds the “core” of the comet.

Hubble Space Telescope tracks three-day progression of comet

The sequence of images shows how the breakup unfolded over time. On the first day, multiple bright spots appeared close together. By the second day, the largest fragment had already divided into two. On the third day, the pieces had drifted farther apart, continuing along a similar path.Hubble’s sharp imaging made it possible to clearly distinguish these fragments. At the same time, ground-based telescopes could only detect faint, blurred patches of light. Researchers believe the fragmentation had actually started about eight days before Hubble captured it. During the observation period, one of the smaller fragments also continued to break down further.

Comet fragmentation reveals early solar system material, says Dennis Bodewits

According to principal investigator Dennis Bodewits, comets are leftover material from the early solar system. They formed billions of years ago, and while their outer layers have changed over time, their interiors may still hold more original material. When a comet breaks apart, that inner material becomes exposed. This gives scientists a chance to study what lies beneath the surface and better understand how the solar system formed.One detail that stood out in this case was the delay between the breakup and the increase in brightness seen from Earth. Normally, freshly exposed ice quickly turns into gas, which makes the comet appear brighter. Here, that brightening happened later than expected. Researchers suggest that this could be due to a layer of dust forming first or because the heat needed more time to reach deeper layers before triggering visible activity.

Composition and future analysis

Early observations from ground-based telescopes suggest that C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) contains less carbon than many other comets. This is not typical and could offer clues about where it formed and how it has changed over time. Further analysis is expected using Hubble’s instruments, including the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. These tools can provide a closer look at the comet’s chemical makeup.

Current status of the comet

After breaking apart, the fragments of C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) are now moving away from the Sun. They are currently about 250 million miles from Earth and lie within the constellation Pisces. The comet is following a path that will take it out of the solar system. Based on current estimates, it is not expected to return.

File photo (Picture credit: AP)

Six major powers, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan, said on Thursday they are ready to support efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the conflict in the Gulf continues to disrupt one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.In a joint statement, the countries condemned what they described as recent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and civilian energy infrastructure, and signalled willingness to join future maritime security efforts if conditions allow.As per new sagency AFP, the six nations said they were ready “to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Joint statement condemns attacks on ships and energy sites

The group sharply criticised Iran over attacks in the Gulf and the effective disruption of shipping through the strait.The countries condemned “in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.”The statement added, “We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping.”The countries urged Tehran to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, and called for an immediate moratorium on attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, especially oil and gas installations.“Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the statement said.

Hormuz blockade raises global energy fears

The statement comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively paralysed, raising alarm across global energy and shipping markets.In peacetime, roughly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the strait, making it one of the most important maritime corridors in the world.The waterway normally handles around 15 million barrels per day of crude oil and 5 million barrels per day of oil products, accounting for roughly 25 per cent of global seaborne oil trade.Reuters said the six powers warned that interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains “constitute a threat to international peace and security.”“The effects of Iran’s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable,” the joint statement said, according to Reuters.

Seafarers stranded, commercial shipping hit hard

The conflict has already had a severe impact on commercial shipping in and around the strait.Since the war erupted on February 28, when the US and Israel began bombing Iran, Tehran has retaliated with strikes across the Gulf region.23 commercial vessels, including 10 tankers, have reported being attacked or involved in incidents.The situation has left around 20,000 seafarers stranded on approximately 3,200 vessels west of the strait, as per the International Maritime Organization.

Countries stop short of immediate naval deployment

While the six powers expressed readiness to help secure the strait, there was no commitment to an immediate military deployment.US President Donald Trump has been urging allies and NATO to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, but partners have so far resisted joining in the short term, even as they remain open to planning and coordination.“We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the six-country statement said.A UK defence official told reporters on Wednesday that the current threat level was too high for many countries to send warships into the area immediately.“The level of threat is such that I don’t see many nations being willing to put warships into the middle of that threat right now,” the official said, as quoted by AFP.He added, “We’re working closely with allies and partners in terms of what we might be able to do and what we can offer, as and when the situation allows.”Britain has sent a “small number” of additional military “planners” to US Central Command (CENTCOM) to help develop options for what could come next in the Strait of Hormuz.

Support for emergency oil release and market stabilisation

Beyond maritime security, the six nations also backed emergency steps to calm global energy markets.The countries welcomed the International Energy Agency’s coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves and said they would take “other steps to stabilise energy markets,” including working with some producing nations to raise output.The IEA last week announced a 400 million barrel emergency release, describing it as the largest in its history.The six countries pledged to support the most affected nations through the United Nations and international financial institutions.