Month: July 2025

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, along with this crew for the Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4), is set for a splashdown int eh Pacific Ocean off the coast of California as the nosecone of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft ‘Grace’ has been closed and secured for reentry.

SpaceX made the announcement of the mission in a post on X, as the mission marks the final stages of the crew’s return from the International Space Station (ISS) after almost 20 days in space.

The re-entry was done following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk.

“Dragon’s nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in ~26 minutes,” SpaceX stated in a post on X.

“Dragon’s deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned,” stated another post.

According to SpaceX, the crew, aboard its Dragon spacecraft, announced their arrival with a “brief sonic boom” ahead of their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

“Dragon and the Axiom Space Ax-4 crew are on track to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and splash down off the coast of San Diego at ~2:31 a.m. PT tomorrow. Dragon will also announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom prior to splashing down in the Pacific Ocean,” SpaceX stated.

The crew currently aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, Grace, are on their return journey, which will take approximately 22.5 hours back to Earth from the ISS.

Earlier, on Monday, the Ax-4 successfully undocked and was making their way back to Earth, as observed by Axiom Space and NASA.

In an informative blog about the mission updates, NASA informed that the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked at 7:15 am EDT or 4:45 pm IST from the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module, completing the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4.

Axiom Space, in its live session on X, noted that the Axiom-4 mission saw over 60 scientific studies and more than 20 outreach events.

The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission during the past 18-days.

As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft will return to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission.

Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module. (ANI)

Mortal remains of the student, who died after setting herself on fire following alleged inaction by the authorities of her college in Odisha against her sexual harassment complaint against an assistant professor, were brought to her native village in Balasore district for the last rites on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college’s Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored leading to her taking the drastic step inside the campus of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College on Saturday.

Yesterday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed that the student had succumbed to her burns. She was first admitted to the Balasore district hospital before being moved to AIIMS.

Opposition parties staged protests demanding justice for the deceased student and strict action against those involved.

Fakir Mohan (Autonomous ) College Education Head of Department Samira Kumar Sahu and Principal Dilip Ghose have been arrested in the case.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief and assured the family of the deceased that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law.

In a post on X, CM Majhi said, “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government’s fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim’s life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss.”

“I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family,” the Odisha CM emphasised.

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati also expressed deep sorrow over the death of a woman student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore who had attempted self-immolation.

Kambhampati called it a tragic loss and said those responsible will face strict punishment. He also offered condolences to the student’s family.

In a post on X, Kambhampati wrote, “Shattered to learn of the untimely loss of a young student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Her passing is not just a tragedy,it is a stark reminder of the urgent need to safeguard our campuses.”

“The law will take its toughest course. Those responsible will face uncompromising punishment. My heart goes out to the grieving family. May they find strength in this hour of unbearable pain.Sadgati Praptirastu,” the post reads. (ANI)

Sara Ali Khan is currently basking in the success of her latest release ‘Metro…In Dino’.

On Monday, she took to Instagram and shared a couple of BTS pictures from the sets of the film, thanking audience for giving love to her character ‘Chumki’.

“Grateful, blessed and so so so happy Thank you for all the love you’ve given our film and thank you accepting and loving Chumki too P.S clearly there were was no middle ground with our moods,” she posted.

Directed by Anurag Basu, the film, which was released on July 4, follows four different love stories of couples–young, old, and middle-aged–living in a metro and serves as the spiritual sequel to Anurag Basu’s 2007 film Life in a… Metro.

It also stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta.

Despite a modest start, the film has shown a steady hold at the box office. The film has collected Rs 32.01 crore net in 8 days, as per the press release.

Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh talked about the steady growth of the movie in a statement, “Metro…In Dino has managed to hold its ground remarkably well, especially given the tough box office environment and stiff competition from bigger titles. Despite the odds, the film has shown consistency through the weekdays and is headed for a promising second weekend. The footfalls are steady, and that says a lot. What’s working is the relatability, Anurag Basu’s storytelling has struck a chord. It’s one of those rare films where audiences see their own stories unfold on screen.”

Kamal Gianchandani, Chief Business Planning and Strategy at PVR INOX Limited, added, “Metro…In Dino has shown remarkable consistency at the box office. In a competitive landscape, it’s encouraging to see audiences returning to cinemas for a film that’s driven purely by strong storytelling and emotional depth. The growing happy footfalls at the theatres has increased the business at the box office, and underlines the demand for such well-crafted content. ‘Metro…In Dino’ is touted to be one of the successful movies of the year 2025. Bhushan Kumar and Anurag Basu have brought together a film that speaks to the urban audience in a relatable, heartfelt way.”

Backed by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series, the film offers an emotionally layered take on modern relationships. (ANI)

The prestigious Tennis tournament, Wimbledon, was full of on-court dramas and huge upsets with Iga Swiatek cruising past Amanda Anisimova to claim the women’s singles title and Italy’s Jannik Sinner making history as he saw off defending champion Carlos Alcaraz for the men’s.

However, the smashes and serves weren’t limited to the court at Wimbledon 2025. The royal box was decked out with Indian celebrities, who served up some serious fashion at the annual tennis championship this year.

From Sonam Kapoor’s blue Ralph Lauren pantsuit to Neena Gupta’s floral printed saree, the Indian celebs also carved their place in Wimbledon fashion history with their on-point outfit choices.

Take a look at some of the Indian celebs who turned heads with their on-point sartorial choices at this annual prestigious tennis tournament in 2025.

Sonam Kapoor

Global fashion icon, Bollywood star & sports enthusiast Sonam Kapoor opted for an all-cotton Ralph Lauren SS25 Pinstripes pantsuit – the perfect choice for the sunny English summer. The actress attended the nail-biting Wimbledon final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the centre court on Sunday.

Sonam Kapoor paired her classy outfit with a Ralph Lauren bag and sunglasses, Manolo Blahnik shoes, which had the perfect tennis touch to them — small tennis balls placed on them and a one-of-a-kind timepiece by Audemars Piguet that added an extra dash of sophistication.

Janhvi Kapoor

The ‘Dhadak’ actress donned a beautiful and elegant blue dress to mark her appearance at the Wimbledon event. She paired her outfit with black sunglasses and sandals. Janhvi’s dress was from the Italian brand ‘Miu Miu’. The actress’s look was shared by the celebrity stylist Meagan Concessio on her Instagram handle.

Neena Gupta

Neena Gupta brought her timeless elegance to the centre court of Wimbledon 2025 in a floral printed saree. The actress wore a white saree with contrasting red floral prints paired with a halter-neck blouse. She completed her outfit with sunglasses. Neena looked classy and traditional as she took Indian fashion to one of the most prestigious global tennis tournaments in the world.

Preity Zinta

Actor Preity Zinta and her husband Gene Goodenough enjoyed the Wimbledon final in London on Sunday. She was seen wearing a polka-dotted dress while Gene opted for a blue outfit, which perfectly complemented Zinta. The couple looked beautiful together, but it was Preity’s blue dress that stole the show.

Jacqueline Fernandez

The ‘Murder 2’ star Jacqueline Fernandez attended her first Wimbledon tournament, and she chose to leave no stones unturned to look classy and elegant enough to turn heads at the prestigious tennis final. The actress was dressed in an all-white set – tailored pants and a classy blazer vest. She also made a noteworthy statement with the tennis ball and racquet charm on her bag.

While these constitute the upper chamber of fashion served by the Indian celebs at Wimbledon, other celebrities also turned heads at the annual tennis tournament.

Some other notable presences include Sachin Tendulkar, Deepak Chahar and Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra’s perfect suit look.

Coming to the Final of Wimbledon 2025, the world’s top-ranked superstar, Jannik Sinner, avenged his heartbreaking French Open final loss as he outclassed his rival and Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz to secure his maiden Wimbledon title on Sunday.

The 23-year-old captured his fourth major title, after two Australian Open and a US Open triumph, defeating Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in a clash oozing with class and intensity in every shot.

This was Sinner’s first-ever Wimbledon final. Flipping the script, Sinner also managed to put an end to Alcaraz’s career-best 24-match win streak and became the first Italian to capture what many consider the most prestigious Grand Slam title. (ANI)

The Golden Temple in Punjab’s Amritsar received a bomb threat on Monday, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said in a police complaint.

Amritsar Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the police received a complaint regarding an email threatening a blast in the Golden Temple.

“We received a complaint from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) authorities that they have received an email threatening a blast in the Golden Temple…We are taking the help of the state cybercrime and other agencies,” the Police Commissioner told ANI.

He added that the police will crack the case and ensure security.

Commissioner Bhullar said, “We are hopeful that we will crack the case soon. We are taking this case very seriously. We are ensuring foolproof security. There is no need to get panicked.”

The police have registered an FIR in the matter and launched an investigation.

According to Amritsar police, bomb disposal squads (BDS), SGPC force and additional security forces have been deployed around the premises. Authorities have assured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure safety and security.

Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the police have appealed to the public to remain calm and report any suspicious activity immediately

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

With 11 more days left for the last date of submission of the filled Enumeration Forms (EFs) in the ongoing Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR), after two rounds of door-to-door visits by the Booth Level Officers (BLOs), out of the 7,89,69,844 voters in Bihar, EFs of 6,60,67,208 og 83.66 per cent have been collected.

According to a press release from the Election Commission of India (ECI), so far 1.59 per cent electors have been found deceased, 2.2 per cent permanently shifted and 0.73 per cent persons were found to be enrolled at more than one place. Therefore, 88.18 per cent of electors have either already submitted their EF or died or retained their names at one place or permanently shifted out of their previous place of residence. Only 11.82 per cent of electors now remain to submit their filled EFs and many of them have sought time to submit their Enumeration Forms with documents in the coming days.

As per the release, ECI is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that no eligible elector is left out and the remaining electors fill their EFs. Nearly 1 lakh BLOs will soon begin their third round of door-to-door visits. Their efforts are being augmented by the 1.5 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by all political parties, each one of whom can certify and submit up to 50 EFs per day. To ensure that no eligible urban voter is left out the ER, special camps are also being set up in all the 5,683 wards of all 261 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Bihar.

For the electors who may have temporarily migrated out of the state, focused efforts through newspaper advertisements and direct contact with such electors, are being made to ensure that they are able to fill their EFs well in time and have their names also included in the Draft ER to be published on August 1, 2025. Such electors can easily fill up EFs online (as per para 3(d) of SIR guidelines) using their mobile phones through the ECINet App or through the online form on https://voters.eci.gov.in. They can also send their forms to the concerned BLOs through their family members or through any online means, including WhatsApp or similar applications.

In a major push towards the use of the latest technology and digitisation, the newly launched ECINet platform by ECI, a single integrated platform that subsumes the earlier 40 different ECI Applications, has also been deployed for all aspects of the Bihar SIR exercise and is running efficiently. Through ECINet, the electors are able to fill their EFs online and also search for their names in the 2003 ER wherever applicable. The electors can also connect with their election officials, including their BLOs using the ECINet App.

ECINet is also accelerating the process of updation of forms and documents for the field-level election functionaries resulting in the uploading of over 5.74 crore Enumeration Forms as at 6.00 PM on Monday. The document review module of ECINet has also quickened the pace of verification of eligibility of the electors by the AEROS, EROs and DEOs in a streamlined manner. (ANI)

Since the trailer of Mohit Suri’s ‘Saiyaara’ has been released, many are comparing it to ‘Aashiqui’, and now renowned director and producer Mahesh Bhatt has expressed his happiness over the comparison. He also praised the movie and called it the “most definitive romantic film” of this generation.

‘Aashiqui’ is a 1990 musical romantic drama film directed by Mahesh Bhatt and starring Rahul Roy, Anu Aggarwal and Deepak Tijori in pivotal roles. A sequel to the film, ‘Aashiqui 2’, directed by Mohit Suri, starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor, was released in 2013.

While talking about the film, ‘Saiyaara’, Bhat said in a statement, “Every generation has a love story that defines it. Saiyaara, to me, will be the most definitive romantic film of this generation. When I made Aashiqui, I did it with a lot of purity, and I was fortunate that people connected to it deeply and made the two newcomers into overnight stars. I expect Mohit Suri to do the same with Saiyaara.”

He added, “It is amazing to see that people have the nostalgia of Aashiqui when they are seeing Saiyaara, but I can tell you that Saiyaara will rewrite the rules of what a romantic film should be in today’s time and for today’s generation. Every new generation must surpass the earlier generation in everything, and I’m excited for Saiyaara to do the same. Mohit is my prodigy, and I couldn’t be happier if he surpasses me in every way possible.”

Recently, the makers unveiled the trailer of the film, featuring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda.

The trailer shows Ahaan as Krish Kapoor, an aspiring singer, while Aneet Panda is a writer who pens lyrics for Ahaan’s character. They both gradually fall in love with each other; however, things take a bitter turn when Aneet’s character threatens Krish with a knife and asks him to leave the event. Krish is heartbroken and expresses his pain and anger. He was advised by Varun Badola’s character, “Apne pyaar ke liye na khud ko khatam mat kar lena.” Later, he was shown achieving stardom with his grand live performances.

He praised the film’s director, Mohit Suri, and said, “I’m proud to see Mohit come out of his mould for Saiyaara. It is refreshingly different from whatever he has made in his entire career, and the film seems to have incredible depth of romance, which Mohit has within him. I’m glad he has put it all out there for the world to see and embrace. Intensity is necessary for people to connect with the emotion of love, and I’m very excited about Saiyaara.”

The veteran filmmaker said he was always pushing Mohit to make a film with newcomers, and he is glad that Mohit partnered with YRF for ‘Saiyaara’. “I’m thrilled to see him take the plunge with Saiyaara with two really talented actors who are simply sparkling on the screen. I’m also very happy that he has a studio like YRF beside him and behind him for this project who have such a rich cinematic legacy,” he added.

He shared, “‘Saiyaara’ is looking incredibly fresh, like a breath of fresh air that only happens with newcomers. The energy of Saiyaara is palpable, and I have very high expectations from this film to soar.”

‘Saiyaara’ introduces Ahaan Panday, the cousin of Ananya Panday. It is set to release in theatres worldwide on July 18, 2025. (ANI)

Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed deep concern over reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during the Ratha Jatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada, calling the incident deeply disturbing and hurtful to the sentiments of devotees of Lord Jagannatha worldwide.

“Deeply disturbed to know about the reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during Ratha Jatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada. Such incidents not only grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha’s devotees worldwide, but also cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance,” Patnaik said in a post on X.

Urging prompt action, he called on the Odisha Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with Canadian authorities.

“If these media reports are accurate, the Odisha Government should take the matter seriously and urge the Ministry of External Affairs to register a strong protest with the Canadian authorities,” he added.

The remarks came in response to posts by Toronto-based Instagram user Sangna Bajaj, who alleged that eggs were thrown at devotees from a nearby building during the celebrations. “People from a building throw eggs at us,” she wrote in one post. In another, she stated, “Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us. Have you ever experienced discrimination for your faith?”

In a troubling recurrence of targeted attacks on Hindu places of worship across Canada, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton fell victim once more to vandalism. The recent attack adds to a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance. Last year, a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials.

Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada. Canadian law enforcement agencies have been urged to take proactive measures to address these threats and ensure the safety and security of all religious communities in Canada.

The incidents have prompted renewed discussions on bolstering security measures around Hindu temples and enhancing efforts to combat extremist propaganda. Meanwhile, several global reports have highlighted the growing concerns over Khalistani sympathisers operating within Canada, with incidents often linked to calls for an independent Khalistan state in India’s Punjab region. (ANI)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for six districts of Himachal Pradesh, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days, while also cautioning about continued rain activity across the state till July 20.

According to Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Senior Scientist at the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, moderate rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours in districts including Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, and Mandi.

“The highest rainfall was recorded in Rajgarh (Sirmaur district) with 72 mm, while light showers occurred in districts like Una, Bilaspur, and Solan,” Sharma told ANI.

“For July 14 and 15, we expect light to moderate rainfall in most mid-hill and low-hill districts. However, Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur districts are under Orange Alert for today due to the likelihood of heavy to heavy rainfall, and this activity will continue tomorrow as well,” Sharma said.

He further informed that for July 15, districts including Solan, Shimla, and Sirmaur have been put under Orange Alert for very heavy rainfall, while Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kullu districts may witness isolated heavy rain for which a Yellow Alert has been issued.

“This spell of active monsoon is expected to continue from July 16 to July 20, during which Una, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts may receive heavy rainfall at isolated places,” said Sharma.

Discussing the seasonal rainfall trends, Sharma noted that there is an increase in monsoon rainfall above the normal.

“So far, the state has received 19% above normal rainfall this monsoon season. Shimla and Mandi districts have received almost double the average rainfall, whereas Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts have recorded deficient rainfall compared to the seasonal average. All other districts have received above-normal rainfall so far,” he added.

Regarding rainfall in July, he said, “As of today, rainfall in the month of July has been normal.”

Sharma also mentioned that flash flood advisories and safety guidelines are being issued in real time based on meteorological inputs.

“Whenever there is a possibility of flash floods, we release advisories and alerts in coordination with the concerned authorities,” he said.

On temperature trends, he said that temperatures are normal and may drop slightly during the next two days.

“Temperatures are generally being recorded around the seasonal average. In Shimla, the maximum temperature was recorded at 23.4°C, while regions around Bilaspur witnessed temperatures close to 32°C. Morning temperatures are currently above normal, but are likely to fall below normal in the coming days due to increased rain activity.” He said.

The IMD has urged residents and district authorities in alert zones to remain cautious and take necessary precautions in light of the ongoing and upcoming rain spells. (ANI)

The hatch of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft ‘Grace’ was closed, and the indicator was aligned, marking the final preparations for the undocking of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew from the International Space Station (ISS) after almost 20 days in space.

The undocking from the space station is set for approximately 4:35 PM IST today.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, who is also part of the crew for the mission, will be piloting the spacecraft. The departure operations have begun for the crew with the hatch closing, and the crew have all entered the spaceship.

From there, undocking will begin at approximately 6:45 am EDT or 4:15 PM IST, with the actual undocking approximately at 7:05 am EDT or 4:30 PM IST.

The Dragon Grace spacecraft will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and subsequent splashdown off the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean at around 3 PM IST on Tuesday, July 15 after a 22.5-hour return journey.

Ahead of the departure, during a farewell ceremony, ISS Commander Takuya Onishi expressed gratitude and admiration for the crew’s contributions, reflecting on the collaborative spirit aboard the ISS.

“Peggy, Shux, Suave, Tibor, we really enjoyed your company and thank you so much for bringing so much joy, excitement, inspiration and other positive ways to make our experience here even better, and your dedication to science and your profession definitely set a new standard for private astronaut missions. We hope you enjoyed your time here and hope that the time you spent here will become unforgettable moments in your life,” he said.

Commander Whitson responded to Onishi with gratitude, saying, “We really enjoyed ourselves up here. It was an amazing experience… It’s special to work with folks who became our friends, and the camaraderie and teaching were really exceptional.”

Earlier on Sunday, Group Captain Shukla delivered a stirring farewell speech from the ISS as the Ax-4 crew prepares for its journey back to Earth.

With a modern twist, he quoted the iconic words of Cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, saying, “Aaj ka Bharat abhi bhi saare jahaan se acha dikhta hai” (Today’s India is still more splendid than the entire world).”

The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission.

As per NASA, the Dragon spacecraft will return to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission.

Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module. (ANI)