Syria's government has announced the withdrawal of its forces from the southern city of Suwayda in response to a ceasefire agreement with local leaders. The agreement follows a day of deadly violence and Israeli strikes, which have been challenging the country's political transition under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The withdrawal comes after clashes with outlaw groups and stipulates the establishment of checkpoints and the removal of illegal weapons. Israel has also carried out strikes in Syria, targeting the Syrian army headquarters and blocking forces from reaching Suwayda. Meanwhile, the death toll in Suwayda has risen to 260, according to reports.
The World Day for International Justice, celebrated on July 17, commemorates the adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998 and the establishment of the International Criminal Court. This crucial judicial body prosecutes individuals responsible for serious crimes such as genocide and human rights violations. The observance serves to highlight the global community's commitment to upholding justice and protecting human rights, and advocates for greater accountability and reparations for victims. Through the ICC, nations are encouraged to pursue justice even when national legal systems fail to do so.
The Israel military has launched an offensive and launched strikes near Damascus and the presidential palace in southern Syria, causing deadly sectarian fighting to escalate. This follows Tel Aviv's vow to protect Druze citizens in Suweida. The Syrian government has accused Israel of treacherous aggression, while Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu defends the move in the name of saving Druze brothers and eliminating the regime's gangs. The United States has also expressed concern and is working towards finding a solution to the ongoing violence within a matter of hours.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history by becoming the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station for a record breaking 18-day stint. After returning to Earth, he shared heartwarming photos of his reunion with his family, who he hadn’t seen in two months due to quarantine. The mission also marked the return to human spaceflight for India, Hungary, and Poland after more than 40 years.
The US has announced that all sides have reached an agreement to end the violence in Syria tonight, after Israeli airstrikes targeted the capital city of Damascus. While Syria has welcomed this effort to resolve the situation, Israel has not yet made any comments on the strikes. Three people were reported killed by the strikes, which Syria's health ministry has confirmed were aimed at a military headquarters and a "military target" near the presidential palace. Israel has been conducting airstrikes in the Suweida region in south-west Syria, citing the need to protect members of the Druze community, but the BBC's Lina Sinjab says the strikes may also have political motives behind them.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's Gaganyatri, safely returned to Earth after completing a landmark 18-day mission onboard the ISS. He is the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian to travel to space. His achievement not only puts India on the map in the international space community but also inspires a billion people. Alongside American and European astronauts, Shukla was assisted out of the SpaceX crew capsule and greeted with cheers and smiles as he stepped onto the recovery vehicle.
After a successful 22.5-hour journey, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean in California, marking the end of the Axiom-4 mission. The crew, hauled up on a special recovery ship, will undergo medical checks before returning to shore via a helicopter. Shukla, who is the second Indian astronaut to travel to space, bid farewell to the ISS saying they will meet on Earth soon.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Space's fourth private mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to Shukla upon his return to Earth, marking a major step in India's collaboration with international space agencies. During his time at the ISS, Shukla conducted experiments and participated in educational outreach activities, setting the stage for India's future human spaceflight missions.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut in over four decades to visit the International Space Station, has safely returned to Earth. His family and the entire country celebrate his safe return, with his mother expressing her pride and his father stating that he has made India proud on an international platform. The successful completion of the Axiom-4 mission paves the way for India's participation in future human spaceflight missions.
The Avadhoota Datta Peetham leader, Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, led over 10,000 devotees from 14 countries in a grand celebration of the Bhagavad Gita at Allen Stadium in Frisco, Dallas. The event featured the collective chanting of all 700 verses of the Bhagavad Gita with the aim of spreading its message of spiritual unity worldwide. Swamiji has been guiding humanity for 65 years and has established various temples and teaching centers to promote the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and has trained over 500 teachers so far through the SGS Gita Foundation.