In a historic milestone for India, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS). The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) successfully docked with the ISS, marking a major achievement for Indian space exploration. This mission is seen as a key step towards India's first crewed mission under the Gaganyaan program, with Shukla serving as the pilot alongside three other private astronauts. The team will spend around 14 days on the ISS conducting research, interviews, and outreach activities.
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla arrived at the International Space Station and gave his initial thoughts on the experience. He expressed his gratitude to the crew for their warm welcome and mentioned that the view of Earth surpassed his expectations. Shukla also spoke in Hindi to send a message to his fellow Indians.
The U.S. dollar has taken a hit as President Trump's trade war rhetoric caused a major shakeup in the market, leaving the pound soaring at almost a four-year high against the dollar. The impact of this shift has led to an urgent call for individuals to educate themselves on how to spot and report fake news and AI generated images, as technology can easily manipulate and spread false information. As concerns surrounding AI continue to grow, the fight to combat fake news remains a top priority for many governments and organizations.
A tragic accident occurred in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand as a bus carrying pilgrims to the Badrinath Dham pilgrimage site fell into the Alaknanda river. Two people have been confirmed dead and ten others are still missing. Preliminary information suggests that the accident occurred due to loss of control while driving uphill.
Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, a shocking development has come to light as an Indian Navy clerk has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, including during the sensitive Operation Sindoor period. After being lured by financial incentives, the accused clerk had been sending confidential information to a Pakistani female handler in exchange for money, using funds to cover his losses in online gaming.
The annual International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking will be observed in 2025 with a focus on breaking the cycle of organized crime and drug trafficking. The goal of a drug-free world seems increasingly challenging as the number of drug users is expected to reach 292 million by 2022. This year's theme, "Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime," highlights the vital role of prevention and preparedness in addressing the global drug problem. From government initiatives and enforcement measures to community-centered programs, efforts are being made to create a safer and healthier future for all.
After a 41-year hiatus, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla made history by embarking on a commercial mission to the International Space Station with three other crew members. Shukla, adorned with the Indian tricolour on his shoulders, sent a message back to Earth during the first stage of the journey, expressing his pride in representing his country in space. He also called on his fellow citizens to join him in India's Human Space Programme and help further the nation's presence in space.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson and two other astronauts, made history as they embarked on a journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the commercial Axiom-4 mission. Shukla, hailing from Lucknow, became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS, marking a symbolic return to space for India after 41 years since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's mission. The launch was met with celebrations globally, with Shukla's alma mater in Lucknow also joining in to witness this historic moment with pride.
As tensions rise in West Asia with the US entering the conflict, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting in Washington DC on July 1. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the Quad partners to refocus on strategic threats in the Indo-Pacific, amidst China's assertive behavior. This will also be the first meeting between Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after the recent India-Pakistan military confrontation and PM Narendra Modi's phone call with US President Trump. The meeting will also be crucial before the Quad leaders' summit in India later this year.
Co-op grocery stores in the United Kingdom have announced that they will stop selling Israeli produce and own-brand products containing Israeli ingredients as part of a boycott aimed at supporting peace. The move has been met with criticism from pro-Israeli activists, who have labeled it as "shameful." Israel joins 17 other countries that the store has implemented boycotts against due to issues such as human rights abuses and violations of international law.