Shubhanshu Shukla becomes second Indian in space
India marked a historic milestone as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, became the second Indian to journey into space.
He lifted off aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon on a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on June 25.
His mission comes four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 Soviet mission. Group Captain Shukla, who had been in quarantine for over a month, is part of a growing global collaboration in space exploration.
Himachal flash floods: 2 dead, 20 feared swept away
Heavy rains and cloudbursts triggered flash floods in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, leaving two dead and around 20 feared swept away.
The tragedy occurred near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project in Kangra district, where floodwaters inundated a labour colony.
The workers were resting in temporary shelters when water from the overflowing Manuni Khad and nearby drains surged through. Rescue operations are underway by the local administration and other state agencies.
Shashi Tharoor clarifies: ‘Not joining BJP’
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor refuted claims that he is planning to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party following his recent article praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy.
He said the piece, shared by the PMO, was about national unity, not political alignment.
Mr Tharoor described Mr Modi as a “prime asset” and called for greater support in international diplomacy but stressed this should not be misconstrued as a party switch, despite growing tensions with his own party.
Two locals aided Pahalgam attackers for cash: NIA
Two Kashmiris, Parvaiz and Bashir Jothar, were arrested for sheltering three Pakistani terrorists before the deadly Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians on April 22.
The National Investigation Agency said the accused provided food, shelter and intelligence on security forces in exchange for a few thousand rupees.
The attackers, linked to the extremist group Lashkar, stayed in a remote hut before the attack. The NIA is analysing extensive evidence and has requested five-day custody of the accused for further questioning.
Captor of Abhinandan killed by Pakistani Taliban
Major Syed Muiz, the Pakistani officer who claimed the capture of Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman during the 2019 Balakot operation, was reportedly killed by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He served in Pakistan’s elite 6th Commando Battalion of the Special Service Group.
Major Muiz was reportedly killed in a firefight in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The TTP, an Islamist group operating near the Afghan border, has claimed responsibility for his death.
Akali leader Majithia arrested for laundering drug money
Senior Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia has been arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau for allegedly laundering over 540 crore ($80 million) in drug-related money. The arrest followed a raid at his Amritsar residence.
Officials said his and his wife’s assets had grown significantly without legitimate income sources. Already facing a separate 2021 drug probe, Majithia’s arrest is a major development in Punjab’s ongoing crackdown on narcotics and political corruption.
Passengers, crew fall ill on Air India flight
Five passengers and two crew members fell ill during Air India’s nine-hour London-Mumbai flight on June 23, experiencing dizziness and nausea mid-air.
Symptoms persisted even after landing, affecting two passengers and two crew.
The airline is investigating the cause and has informed aviation authorities. Flight AI130 operated a Boeing 777 aircraft, and no emergency landing was required. Air India has assured a full review of the incident to ensure passenger safety.
259 victims identified in Air India crash
Authorities in Gujarat have identified 259 of 260 victims from the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
The Dreamliner jet, bound for London, crashed moments after take-off, killing 274 people, including 19 on the ground. Only one survivor emerged.
Officials used DNA and facial identification to confirm identities and handed over most remains to families. Cleanup operations continue as authorities await results for the final victim and caution against confirming the death toll prematurely.
DGCA audit finds repeated aircraft defects
India’s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) flagged repeated aircraft defects at Mumbai and Delhi airports, raising serious concerns about airline maintenance practices.
Part of a special audit following the fatal Air India crash, the DGCA report cited “multiple instances” of recurring issues on jetliners.
While the report did not name airlines, it noted that India’s major airports serve carriers like IndiGo and Air India. The regulator has called for stricter oversight to ensure air safety.
Postmaster acquitted after 32-year legal battle
Mr Mankaram, a postmaster from Betul, has been acquitted by the Madhya Pradesh High Court after a 32-year legal battle.
In 1983, a clerical error in recording a Rs3,596 ($54) deposit – despite no financial loss – led to his conviction for criminal breach of trust in 1993.
Though both trial and sessions courts upheld the verdict, Mr Mankaram persisted in seeking justice. The high court finally ruled in his favour, bringing a long-overdue end to the ordeal.
