Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have identified the potential of Janus Sb2XSX' monolayers as promising materials for next-generation electronic devices.

To meet the rising demand for energy-efficient materials with better electronic properties, the team investigated the structural, piezoelectric, electronic, and spintronics properties of the Janus Sb2XSX’

The results showed that these monolayers can bring potential solutions to pressing demands in energy-efficient electronics, flexible devices, and sensors.

“The Janus structure (a material or system that has two distinct sides with contrasting properties) of two-dimensional (2D) materials has become a significant focus in recent research, notably after the successful synthesis of the Janus MoSSe (two-dimensional (2D) material derived from molybdenum disulfide--MoS2), monolayer,” said the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The domestic benchmark equity indices closed in green on Wednesday as buying was seen in PSU bank and realty sectors. The investors are keenly watching the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting which will announce its decision around the repo rate on Friday.

Banking stocks rose amid volatile sessions in the market due to the possibility of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) cut by the central bank. Sensex settled at 80,956.3, higher by 110.58 points, or 0.14 per cent, while the Nifty ended at 24,467.45, up by 10.30 points, or 0.04 per cent.

Anticipation of CRR reduction energised banking stocks, pushing the Bank Nifty index over 1 per cent higher with the PSU Banking Index outperforming its private sector counterpart, as investors turned optimistic ahead of the RBI monetary policy meeting announcement.

On the broader market front, the Nifty Midcap 100 ended at 58,112.40, higher by 603.40 points, or 1.05 per cent. while the Nifty SmallCap 100 ended at 19,173.55, higher by 170 points, or 0.89 per cent.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday envisioned that the state of the art ‘Nishaan-e-Inquilaab’ plaza will ever inspire the youngsters for selfless service to the nation by perpetuating the life and philosophy of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh.

Addressing the gathering after dedicating the plaza to people which houses 30 feet high bronze statue of iconic martyr on Airport road, the Chief Minister said that this legendary martyr should not only be remembered only on his martyrdom day (March 23) or birthday (September 28) but he said that the iconic martyr should be remembered every moment. He said that this plaza, constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore, will ever inspire our younger generations to follow the footsteps of the great martyr and serve the country zealously. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that this plaza will act as a lighthouse for the visitors coming from within the country and abroad by apprising them about the role of this legendary martyr.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday patted the Punjab Police for foiling a deep rooted conspiracy to defame Punjab by vigilantly preventing an attack on Akali leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at Amritsar.

Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of dedication of ‘Nishan-e-Inquilaab” plaza here today, the Chief Minister condemned the attack in the strongest terms and said that there is no place for such dastardly acts at a sacred place like Sri Harmandir Sahib. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government had already deployed around 175 cops apart from the senior officers to prevent any untoward incident. He said that this produced the desired result as a conspiracy to bring bad name to the state was foiled by the Punjab Police who was keeping an eagle eye around Sri Harmandir Sahib.

The earthquake that hit Telangana on Wednesday morning was the second earthquake of over 5 magnitude on the Richter Scale in the region in the last 55 years.

According to the National Center for Seismology, an earthquake of 5.3 magnitude was felt at 7.27 a.m. on Wednesday with Medaram in Mulugu district of Telangana as the epicentre.

The region experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 on April 13, 1969, with Bhadrachalam as the epicentre.

According to scientists, both earthquakes were linked to the Godavari rift valley, which is a fault zone.

The tremors on Wednesday were felt in parts of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and also in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The tremors were also felt in Hyderabad and surrounding districts.

The depth of the earthquake was 40 kilometres and it was experienced in an area of 225 km. There were no reports of any loss of life or damage.

Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon said he is confident of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh bowling for Australia in the upcoming pink-ball Test against India, starting in Adelaide Oval on December 6. He added that if needed, he can take up extra bowling workload coming his way.

"I honestly think we'll see Mitch Marsh bowl. I'm not concerned about Bison's (Marsh's) fitness if I'm being honest. He's been brilliant for us in the games (since) he's come back in ... I've got full confidence in Bison, happy to bowl his overs. I'm very clear on my role within the team so nothing really changes with me. If I get the opportunity to bowl more overs I'll jump at it," said Lyon to reporters on Wednesday.

He expects the Adelaide pitch, loaded with 6mm grass, will provide help for spinners as the Test goes on. With Australia aiming to square the series after losing to India by 295 runs at Perth, Lyon is optimistic about the hosts’ putting up a better show in Adelaide.

Low-cost airline IndiGo on Wednesday refuted findings of a report which claimed that IndiGo has been ranked among the world's worst airlines this year.

The ‘AirHelp Score report 2024’ placed the domestic carrier near the bottom at 103rd place out of 109 analysed. The report also ranked Air India at 61st and AirAsia at 94th.

In a statement, IndiGo said that India’s aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), publishes data on airline punctuality and customer complaints monthly.

“IndiGo has consistently scored high on punctuality and has the lowest customer complaint ratio for an airline of its size and scale of operations,” said the airline.

A fake call centre cheating US nationals on the pretext of providing technical support was busted in Sector-39 in Gurugram on Wednesday.

According to the police, acting on a tip-off, a team led by ACP (cybercrime) Priyanshu Diwan, raided the call centre in plot number 684, Durga Colony.

During the raid, the police arrested three accused, including the call centre operator, and seized a mobile phone, two laptops and other electronic gadgets.

The arrested accused have been identified as Amandeep Singh alias Prince (34), Palvender Singh (25) and Eishav Ghai (25), all residents of New Delhi.

Ashmita, a first-year BA LLB student from Desh Bhagat University, brought laurels to her institution by securing the 3rd prize in the prestigious Punjab State Inter-Varsity Youth Festival 2024. The event was organized by the Department of Youth Services, Punjab, and hosted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Ashmita competed in the Classical Instrumental Swar (Non-Percussion) category, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication to the classical arts. 

Commuters faced a massive traffic jam at the Ghazipur border on Wednesday morning after police barricaded the area to prevent Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi and others in the party's delegation from entering Uttar Pradesh.

The blockade was put in place ahead of the Congress delegation's visit to Sambhal in UP to meet the families of victims of the violence in which five youths were killed.

Long queues of vehicles could be seen at the border, leaving commuters frustrated. Security has been tightened at the Delhi-Ghazipur border, adding to the delays.

LoP Rahul Gandhi, and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, who were heading to Sambhal district of UP on Wednesday, were stopped at the Ghazipur border on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.