Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace has become India’s first space-tech unicorn after raising $60 million in a major funding round led by Sherpalo Ventures and Singapore’s GIC. The investment pushed the company’s valuation to $1.1 billion, highlighting growing global confidence in India’s private space sector. Existing investors, including BlackRock and Greenko Group, also participated in the round. Founded by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot is preparing to launch Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket. The fresh capital will support rocket launches, manufacturing expansion, and future space technology development. 

Millions of voters across England, Scotland, and Wales cast ballots in crucial local and parliamentary elections amid growing political uncertainty in the UK. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch distanced herself from possible alliances with Reform UK, calling the party “not serious” despite earlier hints at local cooperation. The elections are seen as a major test for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Labour, which faces strong challenges from Reform UK, the Greens, Liberal Democrats, and nationalist parties in Scotland and Wales. Early projections suggest major shifts in Britain’s political landscape and potential heavy losses for traditional parties. (PC: PA)

Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti said Indian forces destroyed 13 Pakistani aircraft and struck 11 Pakistani airfields during Operation Sindoor in 2025. He stated that India also targeted nine terror camps following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. According to the Air Marshal, Pakistan failed to cause major damage to Indian military or civilian infrastructure. India said the operation achieved its objectives with precision and restraint, forcing Pakistan to seek a halt in hostilities after suffering heavy losses during the cross-border confrontation. (PC: The Times of India)

Political tensions intensified in Tamil Nadu after the Governor delayed inviting actor-politician Vijay to form the government despite his party, TVK, emerging as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the Assembly. Leaders from the DMK, VCK, and other allies accused the Governor of disrespecting the people’s mandate. Kamal Haasan said the delay insulted Tamil Nadu and harmed democracy. Congress has already extended support to TVK, while VCK and Left parties are considering backing Vijay. Meanwhile, the Governor has reportedly asked TVK to prove majority support before proceeding with the swearing-in process. (PC: NDTV)

Scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation have confirmed that strong solar activity speeds up the fall of old satellites and space debris back towards Earth. Researchers at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre tracked 17 pieces of orbital debris over 34 years and found that rising solar activity increases atmospheric drag in space. This causes debris to lose altitude faster and eventually re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. The study observed the pattern across three solar cycles between 1986 and 2024. Scientists said the findings could help space agencies plan safer missions and better manage growing concerns over space junk in Earth’s orbit. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Economic Advisory Council member Sanjeev Sanyal said Kolkata’s revival is essential for reducing India’s east-west economic gap and driving growth in Eastern India. Speaking at an event on state economies, Sanyal said West Bengal’s share in the national economy has fallen from around 11% after Partition to nearly 5.5% today. He said Kolkata was once a major industrial and financial centre, but its decline slowed the entire eastern region. Sanyal added that rebuilding Kolkata’s industrial strength and improving links with global supply chains would help Eastern India grow faster and support India’s long-term economic goals.

JPMorgan Chase offered $1 million to former banker Chirayu Rana before he filed a lawsuit accusing senior executive Lorna Hajdini of sexual assault and workplace harassment, according to The Wall Street Journal. The settlement talks reportedly failed after Rana sought a bigger payout. The lawsuit, filed in a New York court, alleges Hajdini abused her senior position to pressure Rana into sexual encounters and threaten his career. JPMorgan said it tried to avoid a lengthy legal battle and still believes the allegations “have no merit”. The bank also said its internal investigation found no evidence supporting the claims. Hajdini has denied all allegations against her. (PC: India Today)

Satellite imagery reviewed by The Washington Post and released by Iranian state media has revealed extensive damage to at least 15 US military bases across the Middle East following Iranian missile and drone strikes. The investigation found that 217 structures and 11 pieces of military equipment were damaged or destroyed, including radar systems, fuel depots, communication sites and Patriot missile defence units in Bahrain and Kuwait. A satellite communications site at Qatar’s al-Udeid Air Base was also hit. The report said the damage was far greater than previously acknowledged by the Donald Trump administration, raising concerns over US base protection and Iran’s strike precision. (PC: NDTV)

Two meetings in two days with Governor RV Arlekar failed to clear the way for TVK chief Vijay to form the government in Tamil Nadu. Despite emerging as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, TVK remains short of the 118-seat majority mark. Congress has extended support, but the numbers are still insufficient, especially as Vijay is expected to vacate one of the two seats he won. Sources said the Governor asked TVK to prove its majority on the floor of the House before inviting the party to form the government, leaving Vijay’s swearing-in plans uncertain. (PC: X)

Chandranath Rath, a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in a suspected planned ambush in Madhyamgram, West Bengal. Police said Rath’s vehicle was allegedly tailed and blocked before bike-borne attackers opened fire at close range. Investigators recovered bullet shells and are examining CCTV footage to trace the assailants. Rath suffered multiple gunshot wounds and later died at a private hospital. The killing has intensified post-election political tensions, with the BJP and Trinamool Congress trading accusations over the incident. (PC: India Today)