Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot SpaceX’s advanced Dragon spacecraft today at 12:01 PM IST as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), becoming the first Indian to fly to the ISS on a commercial space mission. Launched atop the reusable Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon features life-support systems, touchscreen controls, cargo space, and autonomous docking capabilities. Shukla will join NASA veteran Peggy Whitson (commander), and mission specialists from Poland and Hungary. The 14-day mission will conduct 60 scientific experiments and symbolizes the shift toward private space stations, with Axiom Space leading the post-ISS era of orbital research and international cooperation.

Moments before lift-off, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla delivered a moving message during Axiom Space’s live broadcast, honoring his hero Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut. With the Indian flag beside him, Shukla said Sharma’s space journey inspired his own dreams. Expressing heartfelt gratitude to his Axiom-4 crewmates, he called them “friends for life.” Shukla is set to become the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon. The historic Indo-US mission, “Akash Ganga,” marks a major milestone in India’s space legacy, four decades after Sharma’s iconic “Saare Jahan Se Achha” moment.

India is counting down to a historic moment as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to lift off for space at 12:01 PM IST—just one hour away. Flying aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon as part of Axiom Mission 4, the 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot will become the country’s second astronaut in space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984. The mission, a result of the 2023 India-US space agreement, will include 60 scientific experiments—7 led by Indian researchers. Dubbed “Akash Ganga,” the flight underscores growing Indo-US space cooperation. Shukla’s journey will also include live outreach from the International Space Station. 

Shubman Gill's first outing as India's Test captain was a rollercoaster. The right-hander scored a composed century at No. 4, showcasing solid technique and leadership by example. However, his field captaincy raised concerns. India dropped 4 catches and misfielded regularly, contributing to England’s 5-wicket win at Headingley. Gill was precise yet over-involved in field placements, sometimes micromanaging positions obsessively. His handling of bowlers like Shardul Thakur drew criticism. Head coach Gautam Gambhir defended Gill, saying, “He has what it takes… but needs time.” With tough overseas challenges ahead, Gill’s captaincy will remain under close scrutiny as a “work in progress.” (PC: BCCI)

The 600‑ft cargo ship Morning Midas, en route from Yantai, China, to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, caught fire on June 3 near Alaska’s Aleutian Islands after flames erupted on a deck carrying electric vehicles (about 800 EVs among 3,000 cars onboard) . The 22‑member crew was evacuated safely, but the damaged ship, weakened by fire and severe weather, sank on June 23 in 5,000‑m deep waters, approximately 415 miles offshore . Salvage tugs and pollution‑control vessels remain on site, with the U.S. Coast Guard and Resolve Marine monitoring for environmental impact. This incident highlights growing concerns about transporting lithium‑ion batteries at sea, following similar events like 2022’s Felicity Ace disaster.

Group Captain Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, India’s second astronaut after Rakesh Sharma, is set to pilot the Axiom‑4 private mission aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and Falcon 9. The launch from Kennedy Space Center is scheduled today at 12:01 pm IST, with docking at the ISS expected tomorrow at 4:30 pm IST . Over 14 days in microgravity, Shukla will conduct seven Indian science experiments—ranging from seed germination to muscle regeneration—while commanding 60 studies across international teams . The mission bolsters India’s Gaganyaan ambitions and enhances its spaceflight credentials . Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson leads the crew, with SpaceX reporting favorable 90% weather conditions.  

A preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report reveals the U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend caused significant damage but failed to destroy core components. Bunker-buster bombs hit Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, collapsing entrances and damaging underground infrastructure. However, centrifuges and enriched uranium stockpiles largely survived, delaying the program by only one to six months—contradicting President Trump’s claim of having “obliterated” them . The White House dismissed the DIA findings as “flat‑out wrong.” As the fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel takes hold, global leaders are scrutinising the limited impact of the strikes. (PC: Reuters)

On June 23–24, 2025, Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at the Al Udeid U.S. Air Base near Doha, causing explosions and shaken windows across the city. Qatar’s air defenses intercepted the strikes; no civilian casualties were reported . With over 800,000 Indians—the largest expat group—in affected regions, Delhi has issued advisories urging caution, advising nationals to stay indoors and follow updates from local authorities and the Indian Embassy . The incident also triggered temporary airspace closures and disrupted flights, amplifying concern among residents and travellers. (PC: The Indian EXPRESS)

President Donald Trump, departing for the NATO summit on June 24, 2025, sharply criticized both Israel and Iran for flouting the ceasefire he brokered, citing that they “don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.” He expressed particular displeasure with Israel for launching a heavy bombing campaign immediately after the agreement—warning on Truth Social: “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS.” Trump’s fiery remarks came amid continued missile exchanges despite the fragile truce enacted after a 12‑day conflict. He personally intervened, calling PM Netanyahu to demand restraint. Global leaders now urge diplomatic engagement to stabilize the situation. 

SpaceX has confirmed that all systems are nominal and the weather forecast gives a 90% chance of favorable conditions for the Axiom‑4 mission lift-off scheduled for Wednesday, 25 June 2025 (12:01 PM IST / 2:31 AM EDT) from Kennedy Space Center’s LC‑39A . The crew includes India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Dragon capsule C213 . After delays due to weather, ISS module leaks, and LOx issues, the mission now targets docking on 26 June (~4:30 PM IST) for approximately two weeks of research and STEM demonstrations. (PC: PTI)