After a 41-year gap, India celebrates Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as its second astronaut, following Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. Shukla's flight signifies India's growing ambition in space exploration, closely tied to the Gaganyaan program. ISRO is developing indigenous technologies for crew safety and astronaut training, aiming for self-reliance in future missions.
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Following a recent Air India Dreamliner crash after departing from Ahmedabad, the airline is performing enhanced inspections on its Boeing 787 fleet, as instructed by the DGCA.
Plans to open Galwan Valley hot springs for tourists on the fifth anniversary of the deadly clash have been delayed due to incomplete war memorial construction. The Ladakh administration and the Indian Army are collaborating to build supporting infrastructure in the area. Permit regulations are being amended to ease visitor access, with the opening expected soon after the memorial's completion.
The truth is that politicians of various vintages played a part, irrespective of their worldview or political leanings. Every one of them was of the opinion that the Ayatollahs of Potomac (a delightful term coined by TOI legend K Subrahmanyam, the father of the current external affairs minister) couldn’t be the only ones with the power of the sun in the palm of their hands.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warns American businesses about a critical skills shortage, not just a worker shortage. He urges corporate leaders to collaborate with schools to bridge the talent gap in cybersecurity, coding, and financial literacy. Dimon advocates for companies to invest in education pipelines and promote curricula that integrate job-ready skills with academics to foster economic growth.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar urged citizens to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the decision to conduct a caste census alongside the 2027 population census. This follows Bihar's own caste census conducted between 2022 and 2023, which revealed that Extremely Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes constitute a significant 63% of the state's population.
Aamir Khan's recent attempt to recreate Magnus Carlsen's viral outburst after losing to D Gukesh has sparked mixed reactions online. In a reel with influencer Prakhar Gupta, Khan mimics Carlsen's table-slam, poking fun at his own 'Mr. Perfectionist' image. While some appreciated the self-deprecating humor, many criticized the performance, labeling it as 'overacting.
Union home minister Amit Shah has issued a stern warning to Naxalites, declaring that anti-Naxal operations will persist through the monsoon season. Shah urged Naxalites to abandon armed struggle and integrate into mainstream society, promising support and fulfillment of commitments from the Chhattisgarh government and the Centre.
Gailard Sartain, celebrated for his comedic performances on Hee Haw and roles in films like Fried Green Tomatoes and Mississippi Burning, has died at 78. His career began with sketch comedy before his big break on Hee Haw, where he played Sheriff Orville P. Bullmoose. Sartain was also a respected artist and illustrator, designing album covers and contributing to national magazines.
In a tragic incident in Delhi, 19-year-old Neha was allegedly pushed to her death from a rooftop by Taufiq, a man she once considered a brother. The father, Surender Kumar, witnessed the horrific event after Taufiq, disguised in a burqa, attacked Neha.
Shashi Tharoor clarified that his praise for PM Modi's diplomatic efforts during Operation Sindoor doesn't signal a shift to the BJP. He emphasised national unity and India's interests as his motivations, highlighting the importance of cross-party solidarity in foreign policy. Tharoor's article sparked speculation amid Congress's criticism of the government's foreign policy.