Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned safely from the Axiom-4 mission on July 15, marking India’s first ISS mission in over 40 years. Shukla will undergo 10 days of medical quarantine at NASA’s Johnson Space Center before returning home in August. His insights will shape India’s Gaganyaan-4 mission in 2027 and plans for a future orbital station. Shukla completed over 60 experiments on human health, agriculture, and AI in space. ISRO and the Indian Air Force will honor him, with Shukla likely to play a key role in astronaut training, public engagement, and advancing India’s space diplomacy. (PC: X)

India’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau’s preliminary report on the Air India Flight 171 crash has raised new questions. The Boeing 787 crashed in Ahmedabad last month, killing 260 people. The report mentions fuel cut-off switches were flipped seconds after take-off, but no cockpit voice transcript was shared. Aviation experts criticize the report as selective, lacking crucial details on pilot actions. Speculation about pilot error or intentional action has been condemned by India’s pilots’ association. Investigations continue, with experts demanding transparency. A final report is expected within a year, though delays are common in aviation probes. (PC: BBC)

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla completed 18 days on the International Space Station (ISS) during the Axiom-4 mission, performing over 60 experiments. Shukla grew methi and moong seeds, tested cyanobacteria for oxygen recycling, and studied microalgae for future food and fuel solutions. He participated in experiments on muscle loss, brain-computer interfaces, and ISRO’s Voyager Display screentime project. Shukla also conducted a zero-gravity water bubble demonstration. These studies will support India’s Gaganyaan ambitions and future space tech. Shukla returned safely with crewmates Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski, and Tibor Kapu after splashdown on July 15. (PC: HT)

The execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, 36, scheduled for July 16 in Yemen, has been postponed, sources confirmed. Convicted in 2020 for murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi, Priya’s fate now hinges on whether the victim’s family accepts $1 million as blood money. Indian officials and Sunni leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar are mediating with Yemen’s religious authorities. Talks were held in Dhamar with Sufi leader Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz’s team. India’s Supreme Court was told the government can do little more. Priya remains in Sanaa jail as negotiations continue. (PC: India Today)

All the Axiom-4 crew including group captain Shubhanshu Shukla of ISRO safely returned to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station. Their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, ‘Grace’, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near California at 3:01 pm IST on July 15, concluding a 22.5-hour journey from the ISS. The crew conducted over 60 experiments on medicine, agriculture, and space science. This marks India’s first astronaut visit to the ISS and a major step toward its 2027 Gaganyaan mission. The multinational crew included astronauts from Poland and Hungary, reviving crewed spaceflight for their nations. Helicopters ferried the team for post-landing medical checks and re-acclimatisation.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth after 18 days aboard the Axiom-4 mission, marking India’s historic re-entry into human spaceflight. His spacecraft splashed down off California’s coast at 3:01 PM IST. In Lucknow, his parents, Shambhu Dayal and Asha Shukla, watched the live telecast, waving the Indian flag with teary eyes. They expressed pride and gratitude, calling it a moment for the entire nation. ISRO confirmed Shukla completed seven microgravity experiments, including studies on tardigrades, seeds, and microalgae. The crew witnessed over 300 sunrises and sunsets. Asha Shukla performed Sundarkand and temple rituals for his safe return, promising a grand welcome for her son who “wrote his name in history.”

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut to visit the International Space Station, returned to Earth after a historic mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him, calling his journey “an inspiration for a billion dreams.” Shukla’s courage and pioneering spirit were hailed as a milestone in India’s space ambitions, especially the upcoming Human Space Flight Mission – Gaganyaan. The PM’s message emphasized national pride and the significance of Shukla’s achievement in advancing India’s space program. The mission marks a new chapter in India’s global space presence, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and exploration. (PC: News18 & X)

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the ISS via private spaceflight, has returned to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft after an 18-day Axiom-4 mission. Undocking occurred on July 14 at 4:30 PM IST, with splashdown in July 15 around 3:00 PM IST. Trained by ISRO, Shukla conducted over 60 experiments on human health, agriculture, and space suit materials. His farewell message “If we decide, then even stars are attainable” echoes India’s growing space ambitions ahead of the Gaganyaan mission. The crew returns with 580+ pounds of scientific cargo. Family and nation await his safe return, marking a milestone in India’s space journey.

Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut to visit the International Space Station via private spaceflight, is set to return today aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The Axiom-4 crew, including astronauts from the US, Poland, and Hungary, undocked from the ISS on July 14 and will splash down off San Diego at 3 PM IST. The mission, launched on June 25, conducted over 60 experiments and returns with 580+ pounds of cargo. Shukla’s farewell message highlighted India’s fearless and ambitious space future. The ₹550 crore ISRO-backed mission is seen as a precursor to Gaganyaan 2027. A brief sonic boom will mark Dragon’s re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. (PC: Aaj Tak & Bharat News)

A viral video showing a couple dumping garbage on a roadside in Canada has sparked outrage and debate online. The woman, dressed in salwar-kameez, and the man, in shirt and jeans, are seen unloading multiple plastic bags from their car. The footage, which has amassed millions of views, triggered criticism of India, despite the couple’s presumed Canadian residency. While many condemned the act, others questioned the racial profiling and suggested cultural context, noting the possibility of biodegradable offerings. The incident has reignited discussions on civic responsibility, immigrant behavior, and national identity, with users divided over whether the couple’s actions should reflect on India.