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If you're a salaried employee or a business owner who can't leave for a trip whenever you want and need to plan ahead, August is a great time for a vacation. In <keyword id="21604710" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="August-2024" source="keywords">August 2024</keyword>, there are some exciting long weekends thanks to holidays like Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan, and Janmashtami. This means it's a perfect time for you to plan a trip! If you plan your leave carefully, you can get up to five days off in a row. We're here to help you plan your August holidays and suggest some great travel options. We'll tell you about the top destinations you can visit near <keyword id="66" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi" source="Orion">Delhi</keyword>, <keyword id="6358070" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mumbai" source="Orion">Mumbai</keyword>, and <keyword id="6354321" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bengaluru" source="Orion">Bengaluru</keyword> during these long weekends. <h2>Here's a breakdown of the long weekends in August:</h2> <div type="image" title="Calender" msid="112289713" hostid="261" sizebytes="143659" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Breakdown of the long weekends in August 2024.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Now, let's look at great places to visit near Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru during these weekends. <h3>Near Delhi:</h3>Jaisalmer, Rajasthan Known as the "Golden City," Jaisalmer is famous for its stunning sandstone architecture and desert landscapes. Explore the Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli, and the picturesque Sam Sand Dunes, where you can enjoy a camel safari and witness a beautiful sunset. Munsyari, Uttarakhand A hidden gem in the Kumaon region, Munsyari offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks. It's a paradise for trekkers, with routes like the Milam Glacier and Khaliya Top. The quaint village atmosphere and stunning natural beauty make it a perfect escape. Pushkar, Rajasthan A small town known for its sacred Pushkar Lake and the famous Brahma Temple, Pushkar is a spiritual and cultural destination. The vibrant Pushkar Bazaar is great for shopping, and if you're visiting in November, don't miss the famous Pushkar Camel Fair. <h2>Near Mumbai:</h2>Goa A popular beach destination, Goa offers a mix of sun, sand, and vibrant nightlife. Visit the beautiful beaches of Baga, Anjuna, and Palolem, explore historic churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus, and enjoy water sports. Goa's rich Portuguese heritage and delicious seafood are added attractions. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="109562865" title="Things to do in Goa in monsoon to make the most out of your trip" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Alibaug A coastal town with beautiful beaches, Alibaug is ideal for a relaxing weekend. You can visit Kolaba Fort, enjoy water sports, or just unwind at the various beaches like Alibaug Beach and Nagaon Beach. Matheran A charming hill station free of vehicles, Matheran offers peaceful walks through nature. The views from Panorama Point and Charlotte Lake are breathtaking. You can also explore the many viewpoints that offer stunning landscapes. <h2>Near Bengaluru:</h2>Hampi, Karnataka: A UNESCO World Heritage site, Hampi is renowned for its ancient ruins and temples from the Vijayanagara Empire. Explore the Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple with its iconic stone chariot, and the Hampi Bazaar. The landscape of giant boulders and ancient structures makes Hampi a unique and fascinating destination. Chikmagalur: A paradise for coffee lovers, Chikmagalur is a hill station surrounded by coffee plantations. You can trek to Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, visit the serene Hebbe Falls, and explore ancient temples. Mysuru: A city rich in history and culture, Mysuru is famous for its magnificent Mysore Palace. You can also visit Chamundi Hill, St. Philomena's Church, and the vibrant Devaraja Market. The Mysore Zoo and Brindavan Gardens are other popular attractions. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/10-most-beautiful-hill-stations-to-visit-in-north-india-this-august/slidelist/112213767.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">10 most beautiful hill stations to visit in North India this August</a>

Plan the perfect August 2024 long weekend: Getaways from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru

Top international getaways from India for this August long weekend

Tensions in Middle-East are rapidly inching closer to their zenith, with Iran firing about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel late yesterday night. In response today, the Indian markets witnessed their worst decline in two months, with Sensex dipping around 1,769 points, or 2.1% to close at 82,497.10. <keyword id="19896381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nifty" source="keywords">Nifty</keyword> followed suit and was also down by 2.1% to close the day at 25,250.10. As a result, about Rs 11 lakh crore were wiped off the market today. The decline was broad-based, with sectors like realty (dipped by over 4%) auto, and energy suffering the most. Broader indices also fell, losing nearly 2% each. The Hang Seng index, which had rallied over 14% during the last week, largely on the back of various stimulus measures announced by the central bank to stir consumption in the Chinese economy, also slumped around 1.47%. With the possibility of an all-out war between Iran and Israel looming on the horizon, threatening to happen sooner than later, markets are expected to remain volatile in near future. Even the India VIX, seen as a gauge of uncertainty and investor fear in the market, jumped over 9% during the day. The war could throw a huge spanner on India's crude oil import plans. As of August 2024, about 44.6% of India's crude oil imports came from <keyword id="19904316" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="middle-east" source="keywords">Middle East</keyword>. Israel has already promised significant retaliation, in response to Iran's attack in the days to come. And the strong possibility of a full-blown Israeli attack in Middle East, particularly major oil fields in Iran has sent the crude oil prices surging. Closer home, ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) was amongst the biggest gainers on NSE today. <h2>Should Indian investors worry? </h2>But is the impending action in Middle-East the only reason behind today's drastic fall? Vishnu Kant Upadhyay, AVP, Research &amp; Advisory at Master Capital Services notes that while it plays a significant role, other factors are also at play. "Recent regulatory changes in the F&amp;O segment by SEBI is expected to impact trading volumes, as retail participation may decline due to the increased contract size and limits on weekly expiries. Meanwhile, strength in the Chinese market, following the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) stimulus package, has also diverted foreign investment to China, where valuations remain more attractive compared to India", he noted. But Upadhyay believes that the extension of losses in Indian markets wont last long. "From a technical perspective, as long as prices hold above the 25,250–25,100 zone, any decline could present an opportunity to build fresh long positions. A stock-specific approach is advisable, with sectors such as Oil, IT, PSU Banks, Metals, and Chemicals likely to outperform in the coming days", he adds. Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities observes that as long as market is trading below 25,365/82,800, the weak sentiment is likely to continue. On the down side, it could slip till 25,150-25,025/82,200-82,000 as well. On the other side, one quick technical pullback is likely if the market succeeds to trade above 25,365/82,800. Above the same, it could bounce back till 25,475-25,500/83,100-83,300. The current market texture is volatile hence; level based trading would be the ideal strategy for the day traders. <h2><keyword id="20760178" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-fund-investors" source="keywords">Mutual fund investors</keyword>, stay put</h2>In the aftermath of a <keyword id="19968045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="market-correction" source="keywords">market correction</keyword>, most mutual fund investors often face a critical decision- should they stop their SIPs (<keyword id="21047553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Systematic-Investment-Plans" source="keywords">Systematic Investment Plans</keyword>) or to view the downturn as a valuable opportunity to acquire more mutual fund units? By continuing SIPs during such downturns, investors can take advantage of 'rupee-cost averaging,' i.e. accumulating more units when prices are down. This approach not only lowers the average cost per unit, but also positions the portfolio for greater returns when the market eventually recovers, and softens the impact of short-term volatility. Swapnil Aggarwal, Director, VSRK Capital explains that alongside maintaining regular investments, revisiting your asset allocation is also essential in these turbulent times. A well-diversified portfolio, that balances equities with safer assets like bonds can withstand market fluctuations more effectively. You can consider shifting some investments into bond funds or other stable instruments, which can provide a cushion against further declines. <h2>What happens next? </h2>While the immediate impact of a market correction may lead to declines in the NAV (Net Asset Value) of mutual funds, disciplined investors can view this as a moment to reassess their strategies. Focusing on your <keyword id="20908416" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="long-term-financial-goals" source="keywords">long-term financial goals</keyword> will let you turn market volatility into opportunity! The market will remain keenly focused on the evolving situation in the Middle East. What will also be equally important are the US monthly jobs data due tomorrow, which could determine the size of Fed's next interest rate move in November.

Nifty, Sensex in freefall today as Iran mounts attack on Israel. Here's what experts think you should do

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="23335340" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rachel-Martino" source="keywords">Rachel Martino</keyword>, 34, first met her fiancé Leo Camacho, 41, on a content creation trip in 2019.</li><li>After a year of long-distance, Camacho relocated to New York from LA to be with Martino.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rachel Martino. It has been edited for length and clarity. In August 2022, I thought I was attending a garden party to celebrate the launch of a new line from <keyword id="23335341" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diff-eyewear" source="keywords">DIFF Eyewear</keyword>. It turned out to be my dream <keyword id="20215878" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-Park" source="keywords">Central Park</keyword> <keyword id="20015771" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="engagement" source="keywords">engagement</keyword>. <h2>Our creativity connects us</h2>I'm a <keyword id="20308198" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fashion-influencer" source="keywords">fashion influencer</keyword> covering beauty and lifestyle. My fiancé Leo is also a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-ways-to-make-money-as-content-creator">content creator</a> focusing on Disney, gaming, and comic con. While our interests differ, being creative has been a huge part of our relationship. Leo and I met in March 2019 during an influencer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-vacation-family-with-teenagers-no-theme-parks-resort-stay-2024-8">trip to Disney World</a>. Although we didn't run into each other during the first few days in Orlando, we eventually met on the Disney Dream Cruise. A lot of the creators during this particular trip had a focus on family blogging. Those of us who were single would often hang out in the adult-only section of the cruise. We met in the adult-only hot tub and ended up chatting about work and our lives, with him based in LA and me <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/living-new-york-young-pros-cons-not-worth-it-2024-1">based in New York</a>. I had an outfit planned for the 30th anniversary of The Little Mermaid, and I learned that Leo had a shtick of dressing up as Prince Eric, and we did a photo shoot together on the cruise. After hitting it off, we decided to stay in contact as friends. Facetimes and consistent communication allowed us to really get to know each other, and I started feeling sparks. About a month after we first met, I was in LA for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coachella-midlife-crisis-at-55-essay-2023-4">Coachella</a>, and I decided to stay a few extra days to see Leo. Our first date was at a Mexican barcade in LA, where we really got to dig deep, and I just felt such a connection. That year, we made it a point to travel back and forth to see each other. While the first year of our relationship may have been non-traditional, we really had to jump in because, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/woman-only-been-long-distance-relationships-whole-life-2024-1">long-distance relationships</a>, visiting your partner means essentially living with them while you're there. When the pandemic hit, being in New York was a particularly scary experience, and I told Leo, "I would love to come and stay with you," to which he agreed. Leo and I met later in life, which made a huge difference in our connection. At our age, you already know what you want in life and what you seek in a partner. You're just trying to figure out if your visions are aligned with theirs. I couldn't wait to end long-distance with Leo because he brings light to even the mundane moments in life, like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trader-joes-vs-walmart-grocery-shopping-which-is-better-review-2024-8">grocery shopping</a>. After living with him for a few months at the height of the pandemic, we decided that he would move to New York full-time in May 2020. <h2>I thought I was attending a work party, not my own engagement</h2>On August 31, 2022, I headed to the conservatory garden in Central Park, ready to work for what I thought was a white garden party celebrating the launch of a new line of DIFF Eyewear frames. When I'm working on getting content for a brand, I'm hyper-focused on getting the perfect shot and everything they might need for photos and videos, and this day was no exception. I headed to Central Park in full work mode. That morning, when I left for the event, Leo was still in his pajamas and told me he was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-loves-gym-weightlifting-workout-fitness-trends-planet-fitness-2024-8">heading to the gym</a>. After checking in with the woman holding a clipboard of names, I made my way toward a semicircle of flowers. I turned around and noticed my three friends were holding their phones up, and at first, I thought, "Why aren't they wearing white? Didn't they get the memo?" before it hit me. A guitar player was playing "Fools Rush In," which is one of our favorite songs, and I realized the man standing at a distance in a suit was Leo. Although we discussed getting engaged before, I believe an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/surprise-proposal-photographer-new-york-city-what-its-like-2022-8">engagement should be a surprise</a>, and ours was the most incredible surprise. People always think that I knew about the proposal because I was wearing a poofy white dress, but my friends worked behind-the-scenes to help make that happen. When my best friend Noelle got engaged in Paris in 2017, I helped her fiancé plan to surprise her. Her luggage did not arrive, and when we went shopping, she didn't find any options she liked. I ended up giving her a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-tried-on-wedding-dresses-before-getting-engaged-2023-7">dress that she wore while getting engaged</a>. Then before my engagement, Noelle casually asked me if I was going to the influencer sunglasses launch and shared she ordered a dress that didn't fit her but she thought would look great on me. Looking back and knowing that I wore her dress to get engaged and that she wore my dress to get engaged was a very special part of the day. My female <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/age-gap-friendship-life-lessons-2024-4">friendships are so important</a> to me, and knowing that my girls were involved in the planning process meant the world to me. We find ourselves at Leroy's Cocktail Bar in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, at least once a week, so it was only fitting that Leo rented out the restaurant that same night to have our<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/gifts/engagement-gifts-ideas"> engagement party</a>. Our friends and family were there, and we enjoyed a custom menu, signature cocktails, and even a cake. We'll be getting married in September 2025. Correction: September 24, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated the eyewear line referenced in the proposal. It was DIFF Eyewear, not Sunglass Hut.

I thought I was going to an influencer event in Central Park. It was actually my own surprise engagement.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An uptick in personal care spending could be a sign US consumers are feeling more confident.</li><li>Better-than-expected retail sales last month point to a coming "treat yourself economy."</li></ul>Long, flowing locks and perfectly pampered skin are signs the economy is on the up and up — or at least, US consumers are acting like it.An uptick in retail sales and personal care spending in recent months suggests people are increasingly treating themselves to some of the luxuries they may have been forgoing amid <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weird-indicators-a-recession-could-be-coming-finance-experts-2024-9">recent recession concerns</a> and inflation troubles.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-retail-sales-tsmc-earnings-labor-market-fed-2024-10?_gl=1*1qicc5r*_ga*NzMwNzE5NTcwLjE2ODQ4ODM1NDg.*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTcyOTgxNDc3NS4xNDM1LjEuMTcyOTgxNTA0MC4yMC4wLjA.">Retail sales rose</a> in August, according to federal data — clocking in a 1.4% gain from the same period last year. That was a better read than economists had expected.Those rising numbers point to a trend that Washington Post reporter Heather Long dubbed the "treat yourself economy" in a conversation with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace/visa-seekers-in-china-weigh-in-on-the-u-s-election/">Marketplace</a> last week."This feels like the year of the mini splurge," Long told the outlet. "That's a really healthy sign for the economy."Buyers often reward themselves for enduring tough economic times by upgrading their personal goods and services selections, Peter C. Earle, senior economist at the American Institute for Economic Research, told Business Insider.Long pointed to one example of such a "reward" — the "Utah hair trend," which has exploded on TikTok and other social media platforms in recent weeks after being popularized by the stars of Hulu's hit reality series "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-frankie-paul-mayci-neeley-mormon-wives-interview-business-influencing-2024-9">The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives</a>."Some women are spending up to $2,000 for human hair extensions and styling services to achieve the perfect waist-length waves, a hairstylist recently told The Wall Street Journal.It's an expensive trend that may have been less achievable a year or two ago when personal care spending was down nationwide.During <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-recession-risk-soft-landing-labor-unemployment-rate-consumer-confidence-2024-10">recessions</a> or economic downturns, consumer behavior in personal care shifts toward an essentials-only posture, with people prioritizing necessities such as soap and shampoo over more specialized items, Earle said.The "lipstick effect" is an economic theory that posits sales of affordable luxuries, such as lipstick, rise during recessions as people seek an "emotional lift without breaking the bank," Earle said.As the economy begins to recover, consumers generally regain confidence and increase their <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retailers-showing-squeezed-us-shoppers-have-two-very-different-realities-2024-8">discretionary spending patterns,</a> happily adding more than just lipstick to their shopping carts, Earle said.In the second quarter of 2024, US consumers spent more than $200 billion on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cost-beauty-products-upflation-strategies-procter-gamble-inflation-rising-prices-2024-7">personal care products</a>, up from $199 billion in the first quarter and $193 billion in the second quarter of 2023, according to September data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis adjusted at annual rates."There is a notable shift from basic or low-priced necessities toward the more indulgent products and services," Earle said. "Consumers are more willing to spend on the luxury or higher-quality personal care items they avoided during the downturn, such as high-end hair care or designer skincare goods."

Welcome to the 'treat yourself' economy — where skincare and long hair rule  

<keyword id="19896382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sensex" source="keywords">Sensex</keyword> dipped over 250 points in early trade today to trade at 24,213.70 points, while <keyword id="19896381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nifty" source="keywords">Nifty</keyword> was down by 0.34% to trade at 24,213.70 as of 9:40 am on August 8th, 2024. <keyword id="20114187" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cipla" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Cipla" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Cipla">Cipla</keyword>, ITC, Tata Motors, HDFC Bank, and Dr Reddy gained an early edge during trade, while ONGC, Shri Ram Finance, JSW Steel, Infosys and BPCL dipped by over 1% each, and were amidst the leading laggards. Almost all broad market indices were trading in red, incurring marginal losses, with the exception of India VIX, which inched up by 2.42%. Amidst <keyword id="21114756" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sectoral-indices" source="keywords">sectoral indices</keyword>, media, pharma, realty, healthcare and consumer durables were trading in green, while other indices were trading in red. Aditya Gaggar, director of Progressive Shares noted that Indian equities ended 7th August trade higher at 24,297. After 2 days of correction, Nifty50 has formed a green candle but its long-legged DOJI pattern still indicates indecisiveness. As long as the Index holds its support level of 23,960, it can soar higher to 24,550 followed by 24,700. " From the Energy sector, we retain our positive stance on OMC stocks (BPCL &amp; HPCL), Gas stocks are also indicating a continuation of their uptrend. Stock-specific buying can be seen in the FMCG segment (<keyword id="20648052" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="balrampur-chini" source="keywords">Balrampur Chini</keyword> and HUL, ITC). A strong trendline reversal was seen in the <keyword id="20458349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="metal-sector" source="keywords">metal sector</keyword>, activity of today's trade will confirm the continuation or reversal of the trend. The <keyword id="20072634" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pharma-stocks" source="keywords">pharma stocks</keyword> are soaring higher and we are bullish on several stocks namely Alkem, IPCA Labs, and <keyword id="20825787" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="natco-pharma" source="keywords">Natco Pharma</keyword>. Investors should keep an eye on the chemical and textile segment", he continued. Said Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities, "unless Nifty/Sensex breaks 24,400/79,900, the broader market will remain within a trading range, between 23,900/78,300 and 24,400/79,900 levels. We believe 24,150/79,150 could be the crucial support zone for day traders. As long as the market stays above this level, the upward movement is likely to persist. On the upper side, Nifty could rise to 24,400-25,550/80,000-80,450. On the contrary, below 24,150/79,150, it may retest 24,050-23,900/78,800- 78,300 levels. A drop below 23,900/78,300 could push the indices to 23,650/77,500 levels. The strategy should be to buy Nifty if it crosses 24,400 levels".

Stock market today: Sensex dips over 250 points, Nifty also opens in red on August 8, 2024

<keyword id="19896382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sensex" source="keywords">Sensex</keyword> and <keyword id="19896381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nifty" source="keywords">Nifty</keyword> opened the day in green, with Sensex trading at 79,357.43, up by over 750 points, and Nifty up by 1.02% to trade at 24,237.50 points as of 9:40 am on August 7th, 2024. ONGC, Coal India, Hero Moto Corp, Mahindra and Mahindra and Infosys gained early edge in today's trade, while Asian Paint, Titan and Kotak Bank were amongst the top losers in early trade. Mostly all broad market indices, including small cap and mid cap indices, jumped over 1%, with the exception of India VIX, which slipped 8.88% during trade today. Amidst sectoral indices, <keyword id="20051327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oil-and-gas" source="keywords">oil and gas</keyword> inched up over 2%, while auto, IT, <keyword id="19931572" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FMCG" source="keywords">FMCG</keyword>, metal, <keyword id="19933821" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pharma" source="keywords">pharma</keyword>, realty, media, financial services and healthcare gained over 1% each in trade today. Aditya Gaggar, director of Progressive Shares, noted that "<keyword id="22696269" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="realty-counters" source="keywords">realty counters</keyword> are likely to remain in the limelight as FM has made a few amendments to the policy. With a hidden bullish divergence in the RSI, the <keyword id="19916570" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IT-sector" source="keywords">IT sector</keyword> has formed a bullish candle around its pattern breakout point suggesting a resumption of its uptrend. <keyword id="20458349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="metal-sector" source="keywords">Metal sector</keyword> stands at its long-term trendline support; bounce can be expected but it will be short-lived. Stock-specific buying can be anticipated from the defensive segments i.e. the FMCG and pharma. "A lot of Textile stocks have given a strong move in yesterday's trade, one should opt for buy on a dips strategy and we have coverage on some stocks namely BASML, Cantabil, Nahar Spinning, and Welspun Living", he said. Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities explains that based on the short-term market structure, the trend-setting levels are 23,900/78,290. If the market falls below this, it may decline to 23,700 or 23,600/78,000-77,800, where it has support from retracements and long-term averages. It's advisable to consider selective buying around this level. "On the upside, the major resistance levels are 24,150/79,000 and 24,400/79,900. It's recommended that weak, long positions be reduced to around 24,300/24,400. If the market moves sharply above 24,400/79,900 levels it may compel short sellers to cover short sell positions", he continued.

Stock market today: Sensex inches up over 700 points, Nifty rises over 1% in early trade on August 8th, 2024

Both indices <keyword id="19896382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sensex" source="keywords">Sensex</keyword> and <keyword id="19896381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nifty" source="keywords">Nifty</keyword> opened the day in greens. While Nifty inched up around 100 points at 25,053.00, opening at over 25,000 points for the first time, Sensex was up by over 300 points, trading at 82,078.08 as of 9:40 am. All broad market indices opened the day in green, except for India VIX, which dipped by over 1% in early trade. With the exception of media, <keyword id="19933821" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pharma" source="keywords">pharma</keyword> and realty, all other sectoral indices were trading in green during early trade. <keyword id="20102108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="metal" source="keywords">Metal</keyword> took a significant lead and was up by 1.54% this morning. Maruti, Coal India, Hindalco, JSW Steel and Power Grid Corporation of India were amongst the early gainers during trade today. On the other hand, <keyword id="19967472" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mahindra" source="keywords">Mahindra</keyword> and Mahindra, BPCL, Hero Moto Corp, Eicher Motors and <keyword id="20026907" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sun-pharma" source="keywords">Sun Pharma</keyword> were the leading laggards in early trade. Aditya Gaggar, director of Progressive Shares notes that Indian equities ended the month of July at record level of 24,951. The index is heading towards the psychological barrier of 25,000 and a sustainable move above the same will push the Index further higher to 25,200 whereas on the downside 24,800 will be considered as immediate support. "Bank Nifty is oscillating in the range of 51,250-51,930 and a breakout on either sides is a must to determine the clear trend. The metal sector is providing an early sign of trend reversal while the pharma segment is likely to extend its outperformance. Investors should watch the chemical stocks with a buy-on-dips strategy", he continued. Shrikant Chouhan – Head – Equity Research at Kotak Securities says that from a technical perspective, the market has shown a narrow range of activity this week. "It has consistently found support between 24,800-24,750/81,100-81,000 on the downside, with profit booking observed between 24,950-24,980/81,750-81,800. If the market goes above 24,980/81,800, it could rally to 25,050-25,125/82,200-82,500. However, if it falls below 24,750/81,000, the market sentiment may change, potentially leading to a decline to 24,650-24,500/80,800-80,500 levels. The recommended strategy is to reduce long positions between 25050/25150 levels", he said. Apurva Sheth, Head of Market Perspectives and Research , SAMCO Securities added that US Fed Chief <keyword id="20058769" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jerome-powell" source="keywords">Jerome Powell</keyword> had kept rates unchanged in the recently concluded meeting. However, he clearly stated that if inflation remains on the anticipated trajectory of 2% then a rate cuts might happen as early as September. "This unleashed animal spirits and pushed the bond and equity prices higher globally. US 10 year bond yields which are inversely correlated to bond prices slipped sharply lower and are on the verge of falling below 4% mark. This is a big positive for the markets as the cost of capital for corporates and consumers is falling. Riskier assets like emerging markets and metals are likely to do well. Precious metals like gold and silver too should benefit from rate cuts", he explained.

Stock market today: Nifty opens above 25k, metal inches up over 1% in early trade on August 1st, 2024

<ul class="summary-list"><li>US airlines have ditched first class for improved business cabins to optimize space and revenue.</li><li>Some global carriers are adopting a different strategy as demand for more onboard luxury spikes.</li></ul>Delta Air Lines and United Airlines years ago eliminated international first class on their planes, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-airlines-ditching-first-class-seats-passengers-arent-buying-it-2022-10">American Airlines is following suit</a>.They deemed business class more lucrative for long-haul flights. It can fit more seats and is more marketable to more people than a costly first-class ticket.But many global carriers in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are taking the opposite approach, chasing dollar signs with new first-class cabins amid a post-pandemic industry shift that's seen <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-airline-first-class-suites-in-world-2023-8">increasing demand for luxury at the front of the plane</a>.This includes multimillion-dollar revamp plans in a bid to lure more customers, keep up with the competition, and boost revenue and reputations. While these carriers still have business class, true first class remains a money-maker despite taking up the least amount of cabin real estate.Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/15/qatar-airways-to-launch-first-class-as-airline-courts-airbus-and-boeing-for-new-planes.html?utm_source=syndication">CNBC</a> in March that the airline's first class is here to stay. This was a U-turn from his predecessor, who said in 2023 that first class wasn't necessary with that carrier's famous <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/qatar-airways-business-class-qsuite-next-gen-photos-2024-7">Q-Suite business class.</a>Five-star Singapore Airlines also plans to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/singapore-airlines-new-first-class-business-upgrades-privacy-door-trend-2024-11">launch a new first class</a> as part of an over $800 million cabin overhaul project. Air France, Swiss International Air Lines, and Lufthansa are also in the mix, among others.<div type="image" title="Swiss' new first-class." height="744" width="992" msid="115064431" hostid="261" sizebytes="49628"></div>A study from Mighty Travels Premium, published in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.mightytravels.com/2024/10/who-really-flies-first-class-data-shows-67-are-corporate-travelers-not-wealthy-individuals/#Who-Really-Flies-First-ClassData-Shows-67-are-Corporate-Travelers-Not-Wealthy-Individuals-International-Routes-Report-Higher-Individual-First-Class-Bookings-Than-Domestic">October,</a> showed that the first-class resurgence is largely corporate travelers from monied Fortune 500 companies.The study, which analyzed airline revenue data, saw a jump in international bookings from affluent leisure individuals willing to pay a premium for the posh perks.First-class transatlantic fares averaged about $2,900 one-way between January and August, not including taxes and fees, according to data from the aviation analytics company Cirium. But that can be a lot higher on more luxury-focused airlines.Tiffany Funk, an analyst from the travel website <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.point.me/">Point.me</a>, told Business Insider that a drive behind Singapore's new first-class is partly from ultra-wealthy people who want to fly in style but can't reach certain <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-on-a-50-million-bombardier-global-5000-private-jet-2022-5">destinations with a private jet.</a>"Singapore adding first-class speaks to its demographics," she said. "One of the Google co-founders who goes back and forth between the US and Singapore is someone who would book it, those are the people willing to pay $15,000-$20,000 for that really nice luxury experience."<h2 id="abe0097f-b9fa-429e-b49f-0356ea72b21f">Some airlines are adding first-class to boost their prestige</h2>Funk said airlines like British Airways, Singapore, Emirates, and Air France don't always fill first-class but have them for the "prestige."<div type="image" title="flight attendant sitting in air france first class." height="3124" width="4754" msid="115064429" hostid="261" sizebytes="719060"></div>Airlines, especially those with state investment, are willing to take the trade-off for the sake of boosting their reputation or providing the needed luxuries for their local elites."Air France is committed to having this super premium first-class product because it's Air France," Funk said. "It doesn't necessarily make economic sense, and it doesn't need to with only four seats to fill on the plane."She pointed to other examples like Emirates, which can get more customers across all cabins simply because it is associated with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/emirates-airlines-first-class-flight-review-lie-flat-bed-shower-2023-4">having showers in first class</a> — even if people aren't in a seat with access to that shower.Then there is British Airways, which Funk said carries the prime minister and the royal family and needs to partly maintain first-class for that clout."You're not going to have William and Kate fly business class alongside 85 other people," she said.<div type="image" title="Qantas first-class cabin for Project Sunrise" height="4242" width="6000" msid="115064430" hostid="261" sizebytes="2398362"></div><h2 id="e19242e8-14ab-4c62-bb67-afee61170409">9 airlines are planning a new first-class cabin</h2>With at least nine new international first-class cabins coming to market over the next couple of years, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-airways-first-class-suite-review-photos-2023-7">deep-pocketed customers</a> have a lot to look forward to — especially as some of these luxury seats will touch the US.Here are nine global airlines introducing a new first-class cabin:<ul><li>Air India: A new first-class will <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-new-luxury-cabins-air-india-retrofit-onto-boeing-777-2023-8">be retrofitted onto existing Boeing 777-300ERs</a> starting in 2025 as part of Air India's $400 million rebrand.</li><li>Air France: The airline's new "La Premiere" first-class is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://businesstravelerusa.com/news/air-france-new-la-premiere/">expected</a> to be unveiled by the end of 2024, though details remain limited.</li><li>British Airways: The UK flag carrier is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://thepointsguy.com/news/british-airways-improvements-new-first-class-lounges/">debuting</a> a new first class on its Airbus A380s and future Boeing 777Xs. No official timeline has been announced.</li><li>Cathay Pacific: The Hong Kong-based airline is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/cathay-pacific-unveils-aria-suite-a-new-way-to-experience-air-travel-1033863345">introducing</a> a new first class on its future 777X planes, but the delivery of those planes and its new cabin is still uncertain.</li><li>Swiss International Air Lines: From 2025, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/swiss-first-class-seats-too-heavy-for-a330-planes-2024-9#:~:text=Installation%20of%20the%20new%20cabins,plate%2C%22%20a%20spokesperson%20said.">carrier will offer a new pod-like first class</a> on existing A330s, Boeing 777s, and future A350s.</li><li>Lufthansa: Germany's flag carrier is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lufthansa-replacing-dated-business-class-new-allegris-cabin-first-class-2024-4">launching its new A350 Allegris first-class</a> on Saturday. The suite is similar to Swiss.</li><li>Qantas: From 2026, Australia's national airline will debut a new <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/qantas-first-business-class-worlds-longest-flights-project-sunrise-pictures-2023-2">first class on A350s as part of "Project Sunrise,"</a> which will operate the world's new longest flights between Australia, New York, and London.</li><li>Qatar: The Doha-based airline has released few details about its new first class, but the cabin will be on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/qatar-new-qsuite-adding-first-class-to-boeing-777x-2024-3">future 777X planes</a>.</li><li>Singapore: Singapore is the latest airline to reveal a new first class, which will debut on seven <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-longest-flight-singapore-airlines-business-review-2023-1">ultra-long-haul A350-900ULRs</a> in the first quarter of 2027.</li></ul>

International airlines are all-in on fancy first-class seats, even as US carriers focus only on business for long-haul flights

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Sleeping in on weekends can reduce heart disease risk by up to 20%, new research shows.</li><li>Quality sleep also boosts fitness, aids weight management, and improves overall longevity.</li></ul>Forget <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stem-cell-injections-knee-joints-longevity-wellness-industry-bryan-johnson-2024-7">expensive longevity hacks</a> — one of the best ways to prevent disease and extend your lifespan doesn't cost a thing.Evidence is piling up that hitting the snooze button is great for your health. And if you struggle to get enough shut-eye during the work week, catching up on your days off can help, science suggests.People who slept in on the weekends to make up for lost rest were 20% less likely to develop heart disease than peers who stayed sleep deprived, according to new research to be presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024 on September 1st.The findings were based about 14 years of data from more than 90,000 UK residents, analyzed by a team of scientists from the National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease in Beijing."Our results show that for the significant proportion of the population in modern society that suffers from sleep deprivation, those who have the most 'catch-up' sleep at weekends have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those with the least," Zechen Liu, coauthor of the study and researcher at the Centre, said in a press release.But sleep isn't just good for your heart. It's become such a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-better-sleep-millionaire-advice-2024-6">longevity trend</a> that the wealthy are paying big money to upgrade their bedtime routine.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/how-to-sleep-better">Sleeping better</a> doesn't have to cost a thing, though, and research suggests quality rest is key for supporting a long life, better fitness, and even a healthier diet.Here's all the evidence you should sleep in this weekend.<h2 id="11af3708-4321-4271-ac78-b3aa7a71ce58">Skipping sleep can lead to a weakened immune system and higher risk of early death</h2>Nearly 22% of people in the latest study were regularly sleep deprived, defined as getting less than seven hours of sleep per night.Adults need between <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/how-much-sleep-do-you-need">seven to nine hours of sleep</a> nights to be well-rested, according to neuroscientists.Sleep too little, and you risk <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-sleep-is-enough-health-risks-dangers-of-sleep-deprivation-2017-11">serious consequences</a> like a weaker immune system, increased cancer risk, and reduced focus (which can be deadly if you're doing activities like driving).People who consistently sleep less than six hours a night have a higher risk of dying early of any cause, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.119.013043">studies suggest</a>.Skimping on rest also ages your brain, with research suggesting a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bad-sleep-increased-alzheimers-dementia-risk-2017-7">higher risk of dementia</a> and cognitive decline among people who don't get enough rest.<h2 id="a29f2f1d-1e6c-404d-b89e-43062fc673cc">Sleep can help you manage your weight and build muscle</h2>There's good reason to think getting enough sleep can help you live better, not just longer.Sleep goes hand in hand with fitness, another crucial factor in longevity, since <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weightlifting-strength-training-mistakes-stall-muscle-gains-expert-tips-2021-12#losing-sleep-can-prevent-muscles-from-growing-back-stronger-2">resting between workouts</a> is what allows your muscles to grow back stronger.Sleeping well can make you more likely to stick to a healthy diet and even <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/if-you-want-to-lose-weight-get-more-sleep-scientists-2023-3">lose weight</a>, if that's a goal. A recent study found people who slept less than six and a half hours nightly tended to eat between 270 and 500 calories a day more than peers who slept an hour longer.<h2 id="0b0bfee4-c831-410d-9965-86a2f738472d">If you can't fit in more hours, aim for consistency</h2>When a busy schedule keeps you from sleeping well, the good news is that quality can matter as much or more than quantity.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tips-easy-simple-boost-longevity-live-longer-healthier-habits-2024">Sleep consistency</a>, or aiming to go to bed around the same time, can help you get more out of your hours of sleep even if you can't add more hours to the night, a doctor previously told Business Insider.The caveat is that a regular sleep schedule does mean trying to stick to a routine even on the weekends.So, while the latest research says you can stay in bed on Sunday if it helps you catch up, don't count on intentionally staying up late Friday or Saturday just because you know you can sleep in.

Sleep in this weekend — it may help you live longer and avoid heart disease

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Donald <keyword id="19906203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Trump" source="keywords">Trump</keyword> spent the <keyword id="19945050" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weekend" source="keywords">weekend</keyword> on a <keyword id="19916607" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="plane" source="keywords">plane</keyword> previously owned by Jeffrey <keyword id="20026959" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Epstein" source="keywords">Epstein</keyword>.</li><li>The serial number on the Gulfstream G550 jet match Epstein and the Trump campaign, records show.</li></ul>Donald Trump took several trips over the weekend on a <keyword id="19908412" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="private-jet" source="keywords">private jet</keyword> once owned by Jeffrey Epstein. His campaign took several flights in a Gulfstream G550 plane, emblazoned with the code N550GP on its tail. Local news outlets <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/trump-drops-into-aspen-sparks-support-contempt/article_6f729b82-578f-11ef-b886-3fbeb1a49aed.html">reported</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://wyofile.com/to-trump-or-trump-not-two-camps-receive-former-president-in-wyomings-bluest-enclave/">on</a> throngs of Trump supporters — and protesters — watching the plane land in Aspen and Jackson Hole to watch the Republican presidential nominee disembark. Some of Trump's fans expressed disappointment that the plane wasn't as big as the Trump Force One. That Gulfstream jet also once carried Jeffrey Epstein, who used the tail number N212JE while <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epstein-gulfstream-g550-private-jet-for-sale-photos-2020-7">he owned it, up until his death in 2019</a>. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epsteins-private-jet-flight-data-2019-7">Epstein used the plane</a> for the last flight of his life, from Paris to New Jersey's Teterboro airport, where the FBI arrested him on sex-trafficking charges. Federal Aviation Administration records show the plane carries the serial number 5173, corresponding to the same plane when used under a different registration by Epstein, according to data from JetSpy, an aviation data company. It's common for new owners to change a plane's "N-number" when registering a newly leased or purchased aircraft. JetBlue, for example, frequently ends its tail numbers with the letters JB, while many Southwest registrations end in WN in a nod to the airline's code assigned by the International Air Transport Agency. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/every-flight-made-by-jeffrey-epsteins-private-jets-2020-7">Epstein used his initials, JE, for the N-numbers of his planes</a>. Together, a plane's FAA-assigned N-number and required air-traffic control transponder data allow armchair enthusiasts to track specific flights — and lead <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-private-jet-flights-hidden-again-faa-2024-7">many high-profile owners to attempt to cloak their travels.</a> Trump hasn't made his private jet ownership a secret. During his campaign, he normally flies on a Boeing 757, nicknamed "Trump Force One," which he's owned since 2011. The flying billboard has become a mainstay at his rallies, which he sometimes holds in airports. The Boeing 757 is too big for the runways at some airports (it can have up to 178 seats; the Gulfstream G550 carries up to 20). So, according to Jetspy spokesperson Mitch Williamson, the Trump campaign sometimes charters private aircrafts. Trump's Boeing 757 also had mechanical issues that forced it to make an unscheduled stop on Friday, according to the US Secret Service. The plane landed in Billings, Montana — a two-hour drive from Bozeman, where Trump held a rally. According to public flight records, the Gulfstream jet flew on Friday afternoon from Ontario International Airport in California to an airport in Bozeman. It then traveled to Jackson Hole in Wyoming and made a couple of stops in Colorado before returning to Ontario on Saturday night. Trump held private fundraisers in both Aspen and Jackson Hole on Saturday. It's unclear whether Trump or anyone on his campaign knew the plane was once owned by Epstein. A campaign spokesperson didn't respond to Business Insider's request for comment. <h2>Epstein owned several planes before his death</h2>Epstein killed himself in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. Years before his death, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-doe-jeffrey-epstein-documents-unsealed-2024-1">he was friends with Trump in the Manhattan and Palm Beach social circuits</a> before <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-bannon-filmed-jeffrey-epstein-trump-friendship-documentary-tapes-2024-7">the two had an apparent falling out</a>. The Gulfstream G550 — also known as a Gulfstream GV-SP — is operated by James L. Previti, according to Williamson. Previti, the CEO of Frontier Enterprises, a California-based real estate company, is a frequent donor to Republican politicians. He donated $2,000 to Trump's campaign in 2020 and gave tens of thousands of dollars to Republican-affiliated groups over the past year, Federal Elections Commission records show. <div type="image" title="trump standing at trump force one plane" height="3366" width="5049" msid="112476963" hostid="261"></div><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article248960184.html">According to the Miami Herald</a>, Epstein's estate executors sold the Gulfstream jet to a company called N550GP LLC for $10.6 million — below the $17 million asking price. The corporate documents for N550GP LLC were signed by an employee of Frontier Communities, according to the Miami Herald. The plane is part of a small fleet managed by the California-based Threshold Aviation Group, which makes it available for chartering. According to the company's website, the plane has WiFi available on board. Neither Previti nor Threshold Aviation Group responded to requests for comment. "These services are typically managed by charter operators who are responsible for the flight crew, maintenance/storage of the aircraft, and more while being chartered by third parties," Williamson told BI in an email. Epstein owned at least five different private planes before his death. According to court testimony from one of his pilots, his first plane was the Hawker Siddeley HS.125, later known as the British Aerospace 125. Epstein also owned a Gulfstream II, which he sold in November 2013; a Gulfstream IV, which he sold shortly before his death; and a Boeing 727, which was nicknamed "Lolita Express" in the tabloids. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12923995/amp/Jeffrey-Epstein-private-jet-Lolita-Express-torn-apart-scrapped.html"> The Daily Mail</a> reported that a businessman who purchased the Boeing in 2020 plans to tear it apart and turn it into scrap. The Trump Organization also owns a Boeing 727. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/every-flight-made-by-jeffrey-epsteins-private-jets-2020-7">Epstein sometimes ferried along his famous and wealthy friends</a> on his flights. Flight manifest records made public in litigation involving Epstein show Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, and Naomi Campbell sometimes took trips on his planes. Records show <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://businessinsider.com/donald-eric-trump-private-jet-jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-trial-2021-12">Trump flew at least seven times on Epstein's planes</a> in the 1990s between airports near their homes in Palm Beach and New York City. On occasion, Trump also traveled on Epstein's planes with his then-wife Marla Maples and children Eric and Tiffany Trump. Correction: August 13, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated the location of Ontario International Airport. It is in California, not Canada.

Trump spent the weekend flying around America on a plane previously owned by Jeffrey Epstein

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Black Sea faces a long-term danger from naval mines in the Russia-Ukraine war.</li><li>Ships have struck drifting mines in the last two years as Ukraine struggled to clear shipping routes.</li></ul>Against all odds, Ukraine has gained the initiative in the Black Sea.But a silent threat under the waves is poised to long outlast Russia's aggression: an unknown number of naval mines likely laid by both sides.Even their locations — classified information to each of the warring parties — have become an open question as multiple incidents indicate that some have been drifting.The issue is underscored by recent joint exercises between the US and NATO partners off the coast of Bulgaria, where it was<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2024-09-11/sea-mines-russia-ukraine-15140456.html"> announced</a> that US and allied reconnaissance aircraft had spotted more than 100 mines in the Black Sea since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. At least five ships have been affected, US 6th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee <a target="_blank" href="https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2024-09-11/sea-mines-russia-ukraine-15140456.html">said</a>.Keeping sea lanes clear of mines is critical to Ukraine's ability to export grain — in December last year, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67834841">Ukraine said</a> that a Panama-flagged bulk carrier had struck a mine, injuring two.They've also washed up on Black Sea shores well beyond Ukraine's territorial waters — most recently on August 13, when Romanian authorities<a target="_blank" href="https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-mine-black-sea-danube-delta/33077047.html"> conducted a controlled explosion</a> of a mine in a Danube conservation area.Today, ships are passing through Ukraine's grain corridor with relative confidence, although they remain on alert."The threat of mines in the Black Sea still exists," Arlo Abrahamson, head of public affairs at NATO Maritime Command, told Business Insider.They pose a threat to the Black Sea's coastal dwellers and seafarers and, in enough numbers, could threaten the region's economies and grain shipments.It's unclear how many remain out there — and nobody knows how long it will take to clear up.<h2 id="ff62bd2e-457f-4c36-b661-7d700f1a8049">Combing the sea</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/density-russia-minefields-insane-says-ukraine-official-counteroffensive-2023-8">Landmine clearance</a> work is slow — and naval mine clearance is slower, said Steve Horell, a former naval intelligence officer and a senior defense fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis."It's inaccurate to say 'demining' about naval mines," he said. The relevant term at sea — "mine countermeasures" — is a testament to how much harder it is to ensure there's not an explosive still lurking somewhere.<div type="image" title="Ukrainian landmine warning" height="683" width="1024" msid="113697836" hostid="261" sizebytes="59986"></div>On land, demining efforts focus on a single level, not particularly deep in the soil. But underwater, the search goes deep as well as wide.Also, landmines tend to stay put. Once exploded, "at some point you can have some degree of certainty you've combed over this piece of earth," as Horell put it. But at sea, a new mine could drift into the same spot the next day, he said.Modern naval mines are generally triggered in two ways — a magnetic trigger, or a pressure-sensitive one, he said. Either way, you can't move fast to remove them. Older mines can be triggered by contact with a ship's hull."What you've got is, generally speaking, smaller ships moving slowly so that they don't trigger the mines that they're trying to find and disable, and just searching very painstakingly in repetitive patterns," he said.Mine-hunting is methodical, technical, and dangerous. Ships can also look for naval mines using sonar or magnetic detection, and helicopters and remote vehicles can also seek them out."But it's always going to be that slow kind of an effort," Horell said.<h2 id="01498c06-7cda-49f5-9d84-4d10a905308e">A desperate move</h2>When Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine's navy was badly outmatched.Russia's Black Sea Fleet flagship, the Moskva, prowled the waters, famously<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-snake-island-border-guards-are-actually-alive-and-well-2022-2"> capturing Snake Island</a>.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-says-drove-russia-snake-island-russia-says-goodwill-2022-6">The Moskva</a> — and Russian control of the island — are now distant memories. But at the time, Ukraine's only available move was defensive. It <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukrainian-sailors-sank-their-own-flagship-to-prevent-capture-russia-2022-3">scuttled its own flagship</a> to prevent it falling into Russian hands.<div type="image" title="A plume of water and some debris shoot out of the Black Sea off the coast of Burgas, Bulgaria, on July 22 2022 during military mine countermeasures exercise Sea Breeze." height="674" width="1000" msid="113697839" hostid="261" sizebytes="50280"></div>But while it was short on ships, it had a large stock of Soviet-era naval mines, which it drew on for defenses.Russia, too, had plenty of spare mines, and as incidents racked up all along the Black Sea's western coasts in 2022, it was<a target="_blank" href="https://maritime-executive.com/article/uk-mod-mines-in-black-sea-are-almost-certainly-of-russian-origin"> soon accused</a> of laying them.It's a cheap and very easy thing to do."Any platform — ship, boat, submarine, aircraft — could be a mining platform," said Horell. "And with varying degrees of sophistication, you could basically have a general-purpose fishing boat or work boat and just push these things off the back."It's unclear exactly how many have been laid; <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dw.com/en/experts-warn-black-sea-mines-pose-serious-maritime-threat/a-61334599">Estimates initially ranged in the hundreds</a>, with Ukraine regularly accusing Russia of air-dropping more.<h2 id="9537ecb0-5a6f-4926-8688-3d6e1f2cd944">Mines where you really don't want them</h2>In the simplest possible terms, the Black Sea's main currents run counter-clockwise and, according to Horell, take "about three to six months for a full rotation."It means that "any naval mining, in pretty short order, becomes a risk and a threat in the entire Black Sea," he said.<div type="image" title="A map of the Black Sea with numerous arrows indicating the direction of water circulation. The arrows largely run counterclockwise." height="373" width="768" msid="113697823" hostid="261" sizebytes="54462"></div>A mine on the loose near Ukraine's major port of Odesa — in the northwestern Black Sea — could within weeks pass through the territorial waters of Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.Which is exactly what happened.Several had been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dangerous-naval-mines-used-in-russia-ukraine-war-floating-away-2022-4">found drifting</a> far from where a mine should be — one was so <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dw.com/en/experts-warn-black-sea-mines-pose-serious-maritime-threat/a-61334599">close to the Bosphorus</a>, the Turkish channel that connects the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, that the strait had to be closed.In May 2022, the International Maritime Organization<a target="_blank" href="https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Documents/Ukraine%20crisis%20CL%204524/Circular%20Letter%20No.4573%20-%20Maritime%20Security%20Threat%20Posed%20By%20Free%20Floating%20Sea%20Mines%20In%20TheBlack%20Sea%20Region%20(Secretariat).pdf"> sent out a warning</a> about "a serious and immediate threat to the safety" of ships operating in the Black Sea due to free-floating mines.How they started drifting is unclear.Later, in 2023, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kherson-dam-explosion-mines-being-swept-away-in-ukraine-2023-6">the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/black-sea-mines-russia-possible-unmoored-during-ukrainian-winter-storm-2023-11">a fierce winter storm</a> both gave rise to worries that fixed mines could have become dislodged by flooding."It's also quite plausible that Russia was adding more mines to the water in that situation," said Horell.It's also not known for sure which types were in use, but several<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dw.com/en/experts-warn-black-sea-mines-pose-serious-maritime-threat/a-61334599"> were reported</a> to be contact mines anchored just below the water's surface. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/bulgaria-destroys-naval-mine-off-its-black-sea-coast-2022-07-01/">One such contact mine</a>, found off the coast of Bulgaria in July 2022, was a YaM mine — a Soviet-era anchor-type river mine that floats a few feet below the surface."So was it actually floating mines that came loose due to weather conditions, or were they placed intentionally to create a threat perception?" asked Johannes Peters, head of the Center for Maritime Strategy and Security at Kiel University in Germany. "We're still not quite sure.""Most of the mines were quite old," he added. "It doesn't make them less dangerous, but we don't know the maintenance situation."Anchored mines are required in international law to have a failsafe that neutralizes the explosive if they come loose, he said — but, he added, there's no way of knowing if that mechanism still works.The matter raised major fears for ships transiting Ukraine's grain corridor, which Russia openly threatened after withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in the summer of 2023.Soon after, Ukraine's armed forces <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/OperationalCommandSouth/posts/pfbid0vZHgUj7itLXcCw9kHENM1AF1bKfW1AbXGkAdFnzKMdzqoefH3b32xyq4GCqpn5Brl">accused Russia</a> of dropping several mines onto the corridor, and in December 2023 a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67834841">hit a mine</a>, injuring two.This was the last major incident between a commercial ship and a stray mine, and, Peters said, the volume of naval mines in these waters is likely much smaller than initially feared.Today, the situation has stabilized; even as mines continue to wash up on beaches, exports have begun approaching pre-war levels.<h2 id="249f78f8-7843-41be-928e-10e3b55c0c99">Sounding the alarm</h2>Nonetheless, campaigners at Greenpeace have concerns in connection to a major gas extraction project in the Black Sea.Neptun Deep is a joint project of Romanian energy companies OMV Petrom and Romgaz to build an offshore gas field in Romanian territorial waters.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Insight-133-Black-Sea-upstream-Neptun-Deep-FID-taken.pdf"> Analysts say</a> that the deepwater project, due to start pumping gas in 2027, is set to turn the country into a net exporter of gas, further freeing the continent from dependence on Russian energy.<div type="image" title="An aerial view of an offshore platform operated by Romanian energy company OMV Petrom in the Black Sea." height="584" width="1000" msid="113697843" hostid="261" sizebytes="28346"></div>But — as part of broader objections to fossil fuel extraction — Greenpeace said in<a target="_blank" href="https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-romania-stateless/2024/06/7b5c64be-en_mines_risk_analysis_black_sea.pdf"> a June 2024 report</a> that OMV Petrom and Romgaz' impact assessment "fails to consider the risk caused by naval mines."The Greenpeace report's co-author Marc Dengler, a climate and energy expert at the campaign group, told BI last week that this is a serious omission. The main risk would be the danger to ships and workers during the construction phase, he said."But it can also hit the platform itself and especially the pipeline," he added. The consequences to the environment would be "really, really dramatic," he said.Romgaz and OMV Petrom did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.Considering Greenpeace's concerns, Peters acknowledged that the extraction area is close to a mined war zone. But Romania's navy is well equipped at detecting and dealing with mine encounters, he said.For Horrell, the security relief brought about by reducing Europe's dependence on Russian energy outweighs concerns about mines impacting the project."Certainly there's ecological risks to any offshore drilling, but to suggest that the risk of a floating mine vastly increasing that, is to me a stretch," he said.<h2 id="0eca6bae-5037-4489-887c-5224aba3a91d">Tomorrow's problem</h2>Earlier this year, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania — the three countries other than Ukraine most affected by the drifting mine threat — banded together in a naval alliance to clear their waters.Three ships will go mine hunting at least twice every six months,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/01/11/turkey-bulgaria-romania-team-up-to-clear-black-sea-mines/"> Defense News reported</a>.<div type="image" title="Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler (C), Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar (L) and Bulgaria's Deputy Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov (R) shake hands after signing an agreement on demining the Black Sea to ensure safe waters after Russia's war in Ukraine, in Istanbul, on January 11, 2024." height="667" width="1000" msid="113697828" hostid="261" sizebytes="45318"></div>The move is to be applauded, Horell said — but the "limited capacity of those three navies to do that is going to mean it would be a long time before you can have that sort of assurance."Clearing the rest of the Black Sea, including Ukraine's own waters, may have to wait until long after the war.A pair of minesweepers sold to Ukraine by the UK remain at anchor in Portsmouth. They're blocked from entering the Black Sea by Turkey's reading of<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-ukraine-montreux-convention-keeping-warships-out-of-black-sea-2023-10"> the Montreux Convention</a>, which bars warships passing through the Bosphorous in wartime.In the absence of ships like that, Horell suggested other means, such as uncrewed mine-seeking vessels, that can pass through smaller waterways to the Black Sea.Even after hostilities end, Ukraine has learned that any peace with Russia comes with few guarantees — and Ukraine may say: "'Okay, we are not in a war anymore, but we are far away from peace as well,'" said Peters.In that instance, Kyiv may decide to keep its coastal defenses in place.For Peters, no one can say exactly how long it would take to clear the waters."It has a political dimension, it has a technical dimension, it has a capability dimension," he said.He added: "It's hard to declare that 'it is cleared.' You just can define the degree of uncertainty you want to live with."

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